Zimbabwe Dominate Afghanistan on Day 1 of Second Test
Veteran Sikandar Raza and young pace bowler Newman Nyamhuri were the standout performers for Zimbabwe as they bowled Afghanistan out for just 157 runs on the opening day of the second Test at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
The start of the match was delayed by four hours due to a wet outfield, but when play finally began, Zimbabwe's captain Craig Ervine won the toss and chose to bowl, confident that the conditions would favor his bowlers. His decision quickly paid dividends as Afghanistan’s batsmen struggled to build significant partnerships against the Zimbabwean attack.
Raza, the experienced offspinner, was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 30 runs. Nyamhuri, the 18-year-old quick, supported Raza superbly, taking 3 wickets for 42 runs. Together, they ripped through Afghanistan's top and middle order, ensuring their opponents never settled into their innings.
Afghanistan’s opening pair, Abdul Malik (17) and Riaz Hassan (12), were dismissed early, leaving Afghanistan at 29-2. The experienced duo of captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah, who had played pivotal roles in Afghanistan’s record-breaking partnership of 364 runs for the third wicket in the first Test, could not repeat their heroics.
Shahidi, having contributed just 13 runs, was dismissed leg before wicket by Nyamhuri. Shah then fell for 19, his leg stump sent flying after misjudging a delivery from Raza. Rashid Khan showed some resistance with a quickfire 25, but his dismissal, caught at deep point off Raza, left Afghanistan struggling at 125-8.
Afghanistan’s lower order fought back, with Zia-ur-Rehman (8 not out) and Fareed Ahmad (17) adding 27 runs for the final wicket, helping the tourists reach 157 before being all out.
At stumps, Zimbabwe were 6-0 in reply, with Ervine and debutant Tadiwanashe Marumani at the crease, looking to capitalize on the solid start given to them by their bowlers. Zimbabwe’s disciplined bowling performance has put them in a commanding position in the second Test, as they look to level the series after a drawn first Test.
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