1st Test: Ervine and Bennett Shine as Zimbabwe Amass 586; Afghanistan at 95/2
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Bulawayo, Dec 27 (NationPress) Captain Craig Ervine and Brian Bennett both achieved centuries after Sean Williams reached three figures on the first day, allowing Zimbabwe to post an impressive total of 586 runs by the second day of the first Test against Afghanistan at the Queens Sports Club on Friday. This marks Zimbabwe's highest-ever Test score against Afghanistan.
Starting from an overnight score of 363/4, Sean Williams, who was unbeaten on 145 at the end of day one, managed to add just nine more runs before being dismissed. Meanwhile, Ervine, who had resumed at 56 not out, scored 104, and Bennett contributed an unbeaten 110, propelling Zimbabwe to this remarkable total.
Zimbabwe then asserted their dominance further by claiming two early wickets, leaving Afghanistan at 95/2 after 30 overs. Rahmat Shah was batting on 49, joined by captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, who remained not out on 16. Their partnership is crucial for Afghanistan as they look to mount a solid reply.
Zimbabwe resumed their innings at 363/4, but early success came for Afghanistan as Naveed Zadran dismissed Sean Williams for an additional 20 runs when the seasoned player succumbed to a series of short balls, pulling one directly to Rahmat Shah in the deep.
Afghanistan's hopes for more breakthroughs were thwarted by Ervine and Bennett, who combined for an 82-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Ervine reached his century in 106 balls before being caught behind off Zia-ur Rahman after scoring 104 from 176 balls, including 10 fours.
Bennett continued to anchor the innings despite losing Brandon Mavuis for a two-ball duck. He received solid support from Newman Nyamhuri (26) and Blessing Muzarabani as he completed his century in 121 deliveries. He remained not out with a score of 110 off 124 balls, featuring five fours and four sixes.
In their response, Afghanistan had a rough start, losing debutant Sediqullah Atal (3) in the second over, bowled by fellow debutant Trevor Gwandu. Abdul Malik and Rahmat Shah put together a partnership of 61 runs for the second wicket before Malik was dismissed by Blessing Muzarabani, miscuing a catch to Ben Curran.
Afghanistan still trails by 491 runs and will rely on Rahmat Shah and captain Shahidi for a recovery effort.
Brief scores:
Zimbabwe 586 all out in 135.2 overs (Sean Williams 154, Craig Ervine 104, Brian Bennett 110 not out, Ben Curran 68; AM Ghazanfar 3-127, Zia-ur-Rehman 2-101, Naveed Zadran 2-109) lead Afghanistan 95/2 in 30 overs (Rahmat Shah 49 not out, Hashmatullah Shahidi 16 not out; Trevor Gwandu 1-16, Blessing Muzarabani 1-15) by 491 runs.
