Evans Five-Fer, Curran Century Put Zimbabwe Ahead

Brad Evans returned to the Zimbabwe Test side with a career-best 5-22 as Afghanistan were bowled out for 127 on day one of the one-off Test at Harare, with Blessing Muzarabani also taking 3-47. Rahmanullah Gurbaz provided a top-order start for Afghanistan, but their batting frailties saw them collapse, and Zimbabwe reached 130-2 at stumps with Ben Curran unbeaten on 52. Curran then converted his fifty into a maiden Test century and, together with Sikandar Raza and useful lower-order runs, pushed the hosts' first-innings lead to about 232. Afghanistan had a notable bowling moment when debutant Ziaur Rahman Sharifi took seven wickets in the contest, but those efforts were insufficient to prevent Zimbabwe from building a commanding position. Disciplined pace bowling and timely contributions with the bat have left Zimbabwe firmly in control as the match progresses.