Zimbabwe came out on top after stocks pulled on the first day of their first Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, reaching 133/5 at stumps for a two-run lead.
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Captain Sean Williams ’half-century was a big reason for Zimbabwe’s strong stand at the end of the day, with how well the archers found themselves at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium stadium on Tuesday, March 2nd.
Blessing Muzarabani and Victor Nyauchi ensured that bats, who had selected bats, had a tough time when they came together for seven wikis to take out the guests for 131 in 47 pets.
Afghan left-arm spinner Amir Hamza then hit back at Zimbabwe, taking 4/61 to remove the top order, before Williams and Sikandar Raza put up a strong fiftieth alliance. forward to regenerate the tissues.
The morning belonged to Zimbabwean runners. Muzarabani and Nyauchi shook quick and tight lines to make life difficult for Afghanistan’s main order, and the tone was set within the first three petals. Muzarabani had cleared Abdul Malik – one of three Afghan negotiators – with the first delivery of the day.
In the next over, he scored the edge from Rahmat Shah (6) and Afghanistan were 8/2. Munir Ahmad hung around offering Ibrahim Zadran company but controlling just 23-ball 12 before he became Nyauchi’s first wicket. Zadran himself dropped three goals later, for a 41-ball 31.
When Hashmatullah Shahidi was then knocked down by two of his stocks with a torn yorker Nyauchi, Afghanistan ‘s troubles were cleared up at 69/5.
It was an exercise in limiting damage after that. Afsar Zazai scored a solid 37-ball 37 to boost the scorecard, while Afghan captain Asghar (13) and Amir Hamza (16 *) scored valuable touchdowns to give the total the 100-point mark.
However, it didn’t take long for Zimbabwe’s runners to run through the line, and Afghanistan was out with tea.
It was Zimbabwe ‘s turn of resistance to the heat last session. And this time, it was spinning, with Hamza foxing four of Zimbabwe ‘s top five bats, three of them within the first 15 petals. Zimbabwe lost their first wicket, Kevin Kasuza within four balls of their innings when Yamin Ahmadzai cleared it for nine.
Hamza then took over, finding the gap between bat and pad to snuff out Tarisai Musakanda (7). The opener was Prince Masvaure’s next drop, six goals later, and when the young Wesley Madhevere dropped the first member to Hamza, Zimbabwe seemed to be in as much trouble as Afghanistan was in the morning, at 38/4.
However, experienced campaigners Williams and Raza helped negotiate Zimbabwe out of the difficult area. They were very grumpy as they pushed the Afghan spinners, and the scratches gradually flowed again. Afghanistan soon ran a leather run across the pitch, as the pair gave up the partnership on the 50-run mark.
Unfortunately for Zimbabwe, Raza became Hamza ‘s fourth wicket late in the day after going hard at delivery, and he gave up a shot after a foul. Williams saw Zimbabwe through return stumps, and the visitors visited the lead late.
They hope to add a lot more to the total on the second day.