Afghanistan veteran Hashmatullah Shahidi and Zimbabwe rookie Brian Bennett starred as the primary Take a look at was drawn after a rain-shortened ultimate day in Bulawayo on Monday. Shahidi claimed an Afghan file 246 runs on the finish of a marathon innings whereas spinner Bennett took 5 wickets. Zimbabwe made 586 and 142-4 to steer Afghanistan by 29 runs at stumps after the vacationers posted 699. Each first innings scores had been nationwide information. With Zimbabwe 88-4 of their second innings and 25 runs behind, batting stability was required and the unbeaten partnership of veterans Sean Williams (35) and Craig Ervine (22) offered it.
Shahidi departed after being trapped leg earlier than by Bennett, whose 5-95 had been one of the best figures among the many six-man Zimbabwe assault.
The 30-year-old left-hand batter confronted 474 balls in 694 minutes, and struck 21 fours at Queens Sports activities Membership within the southwestern metropolis.
Congratulations to our captain @Hashmat_50 for his double century. Implausible knock!
And congratulations to @AfsarZazai_78 for his first maiden take a look at century – effectively performed, your arduous work has really paid off! pic.twitter.com/1kzFH3vEPZ
— Ibrahim Zadran (@IZadran18) December 30, 2024
His partnerships with Rahmat Shah (364 runs) and Afsar Zazai (211) ensured Afghanistan took a 113-run first innings lead.
The earlier highest Take a look at rating of Shahidi was 200 not out, additionally towards Zimbabwe, in Abu Dhabi three years in the past.
Earlier than the exit of Shahidi, wicketkeeper Zazai claimed a maiden Take a look at century, hitting 113 earlier than being caught at backward level by substitute Johnathan Campbell. The autumn of Shahidi triggered a collapse with the ultimate six Afghanistan wickets going for simply 20 runs in 4 overs because the off spin of Bennett wreaked havoc.
Bennett, a 21-year-old showing in solely his second Take a look at, twice took wickets from successive balls solely to be disadvantaged of hat-tricks on each events.
He additionally shone with the bat, making 110 not out within the first innings after Zimbabwe captain Ervine gained the toss. Batting a second time, Zimbabwe placed on 73 runs earlier than an out of doors edge from Joylord Gumbie (24) allowed Shahidi to make a easy catch within the slips.
The autumn of the wicket was adopted virtually instantly by mid-afternoon rain that led to a one hour delay.
Take a look at debutant Ben Curran, a son of deceased former Zimbabwe coach Kevin Curran and brother of England internationals Tom and Sam, made 41 earlier than being run out.
Gumbie, Curran and Takudzwanashe Kaitano (5) fell within the house of 14 balls, with spinner Zahir Khan taking two wickets, and Dion Myers (4) was bowled by teenage spinner Allah Ghazanfar.
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