ZIM vs AFG 2025, Only Test Review: Ben Curran, bowlers orchestrate comprehensive win for Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. (Photo source: Zimbabwe Cricket)

Zimbabwe won the one-off Test match against Afghanistan at the Harare Sports Club inside three days. The Blue Tigers were always behind the eight-ball after getting dismissed for just 127 in the first innings, after Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bowl first. The tourists’ misery came to an end on Wednesday, October 22, as they lost the match by an innings and 73 runs.

In Afghanistan’s first innings, Abdul Malik’s 40-ball 30 and Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s run-a-ball 37 were the only positives to talk about. However, for Zimbabwe, Brad Evans and Blessing Muzarabani bagged five and three wickets, respectively.

Zimbabwe would have wanted to take a big first innings lead as they were going to bat last in the encounter. Left-handed opener Ben Curran scored a career-high 121 off 256 balls, while Sikandar Raza contributed with 65 off 88 deliveries as Zimbabwe finished on 359 in 103 overs. Nick Welch (49), Brendon Taylor (32), and Brad Evans (35*) also played important knocks to give the Chevrons a 232-run lead.

Ziaur Rahman Sharifi impressed on his Test debut, finishing with sensational figures of 7/97 in 32 overs. Ismat Alam also bagged a couple of wickets.

Afghanistan, facing an uphill task, saw Ibrahim Zadran (42) and Bahir Shah (32) playing fighting knocks. Several batters failed to capitalise after getting themselves off to starts. The visitors were eventually bowled out for 159 in 43 overs.

Richard Ngarava was the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe in Afghanistan’s second innings. The left-arm speedster picked up five wickets, giving away 37 runs in his 13 overs. Blessing Muzarabani also finished with figures of 3/48 in 12 overs. Meanwhile, Tanaka Chivanga chipped in with two wickets.

Zimbabwe won the match by an innings and 73 runs. This turned out to be their biggest win in terms of runs, something that they will savour for a long time. Curran won the Player of the Match award for his magnificent ton in Zimbabwe’s first innings.

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