1st Test: Sean Williams' Remarkable Century Propels Zimbabwe to 363/4 Against Afghanistan on Day 1
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Bulawayo (Zimbabwe), Dec 26 (NationPress) Former captain Sean Williams displayed a brilliant unbeaten century while opener Ben Curran and captain Craig Ervine added vital half-centuries, allowing Zimbabwe to post an impressive 363/4 on the first day of their opening Test against Afghanistan at the Queens Sports Club on Thursday.
As Zimbabwe marked a Boxing Day Test after several years, captain Ervine won the toss and opted to bat first. His top-order batsmen seized their opportunities, putting the team in a strong position before play was halted early due to poor light.
Williams was the standout performer for the hosts, achieving his fifth century in just 16 Tests, finishing the day with 145 runs off 161 balls. He was joined by Ervine, who was not out at 56 off 94 balls. Together, they formed a solid partnership, adding 143 runs for the unfinished fifth wicket, placing Zimbabwe on track for a substantial total on a pitch that offered little assistance to the Afghan bowlers.
The Afghan bowlers struggled with loose deliveries, and misfielding compounded their woes, allowing Zimbabwe's batsmen to dominate the day.
Earlier, Ben Curran and Takudzwanashe Kaitano set the rhythm for Zimbabwe, putting on 49 runs for the second wicket after Curran and Joylord Gumbie (9) had added 43 runs for the opening wicket. Curran scored a near run-a-ball half-century off 54 balls, eventually falling for 68 after being bowled by AM Ghazanfar. His impressive innings consisted of 74 balls and included 11 boundaries.
Kaitano was dismissed next for 46, caught by Sediqullah Atal off Zahir Khan after he edged a slog-sweep to slips. His 46 runs came off 115 balls, featuring four boundaries and a single six.
Although Dion Myers fell relatively early for 27 runs, caught by Ghazanfar off his own bowling, Zimbabwe found their heroes in Sean Williams and Craig Ervine, who put their team in a favorable position.
Williams reached his fifth century off 115 balls, striking six fours and three sixes, while Ervine secured his half-century off 80 balls (4x5), remaining unbeaten at close with 56 from 94 balls.
Brief scores:
Zimbabwe 363/4 in 85 overs (Sean Williams 145 not out, Ben Curran 68, Craig Ervine 56 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2-83) against Afghanistan.
