Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Live Cricket Score, 1st Test Day 1 (Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard): Zimbabwe’s veteran Sean Williams scored an unbeaten 145 to help his side to 363 for four wickets before bad light ended play early on the opening day of the first test against Afghanistan at the Queens Sports Club on Thursday.
The 38-year-old Williams, who now has five test centuries, and skipper Craig Ervine, who is 56 not out, will resume on Friday looking to help the hosts to an imposing first innings score in a rare test outing for either country.
Playing XIs
Zimbabwe: Joylord Gumbie (WK), Ben Curran, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (C), Dion Myers, Brandon Mavuta, Brian Bennett, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu
Afghanistan: Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), AM Ghazanfar, Afsar Zazai (WK), Azmatullah Omarzai, Shahidullah Kamal, Naveed Zadran, Zia-ur-Rehman, Zahir Khan
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9.3 – OUT! Edged and taken! Zadran strikes! He could have had a wicket earlier on but this time gets it. Length and on off. This lands and moves away. Gumbie looks to defend. This goes off the outside edge and it is taken by the keeper on the second attempt. Welcome wicket as the opening stand was going really well.
Afghanistan on the other hand, will hope to make use of the second new ball! There was not a lot of purchase from the wicket on Day 1 but we did see the ball turn as the day went on. The visitors will dearly hope they get more assistance from the surface. Their first aim will be to break this partnership and then they’ll hope that opens the floodgates. An important first session coming up. Stay tuned.
Two of Zimbabwe’s finest and the most experienced batters in this line-up stepped up to put the hosts in a commanding position. It was Ervine and Williams who are admist a stand nearing 150 with the former just crossing his half ton whereas the latter nearing a 150. The hosts would love to bat themselves into a position from where losing the game becomes very difficult. Can they continue the good work?
Well, Afghanistan were too eager for a wicket and in the process were not able to bowl two consecutive good deliveries. They were just not able to build pressure and in return gave plenty of freebies to the hosts. Hashmatullah Shahidi shuffled his bowling option, mainly going with spinners but didn’t get much success in return. Afghanistan looked tired eventually. They’ll hope the new day will bring some energy as Afghanistan could take this score well over 500 if they don’t take wickets. Join us for the action of Day 2 at 8 am GMT. Till then, cheers!
Well, the light meter is out and the umpire thinks the light is not good enough to play. The players are walking off. Could possibly be STUMPS as well..Yes! End of day’s play! A fantastic day for the hosts! They have started really well in the series. Zimbabwe opted to bat first on a sunny Boxing Day morning. Ben Curran was at the thick of action as on his debut he took the attack and scored a fine fifty. He fell in the final over before Lunch but Zimbabwe stitch another big partnership with Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Sean Williams. The former fell but Williams is still going strong, unbeaten on 145. He along with the skipper have bossed the final session and have taken the upper hand in this game on Day 1.
84.6 – On the stumps. Played back to the bowler.
Batsman_1 : Sean Williams 145(161)
Batsman_2 : Craig Ervine 56(94)
Bowler : AM Ghazanfar 2/83(22)
Over : 85
Run : 2
Wicket : 0
Score : 363/4
84.5 – On middle. This is nudged on the leg side for one.
84.4 – Flatter and on off. This is pushed to mid off.
84.3 – On middle. This is pushed down to long off for one.
84.2 – Outside off. This is guided to point.
84.1 – Fuller and on off. This is pushed to cover.
83.6 – On middle. This is worked to mid on.
Batsman_1 : Craig Ervine 55(92)
Batsman_2 : Sean Williams 144(157)
Bowler : Naveed Zadran 1/64(14)
Over : 84
Run : 5
Wicket : 0
Score : 361/4
83.5 – Well bowled! Length and around off. This moves away after landing. Erving is beaten as he looks to push at it.
83.4 – Fuller and on middle. This is pushed to mid on.
83.3 – Around off. Williams drives it wide of mid off for one.
83.2 – Around off. This is pushed past cover for one.
80.6 – This is angled away from off. Left alone.
Batsman_1 : Craig Ervine 54(85)
Batsman_2 : Sean Williams 128(146)
Bowler : Azmatullah Omarzai 0/33(10)
Over : 81
Run : 7
Wicket : 0
Score : 340/4
83.1 – Fuller and on middle. This is driven down the ground. Mid on gives it a chase. Three.
82.6 – Outside off. Not played at.
Batsman_1 : Craig Ervine 54(88)
Batsman_2 : Sean Williams 140(155)
Bowler : Azmatullah Omarzai 0/38(11)
Over : 83
Run : 5
Wicket : 0
Score : 356/4
82.5 – Angling away from the off pole. Ervine looks to push at it but is beaten.
82.4 – Around off. Blocked.
82.3 – Outside off. This is guided past point for one.
82.2 – FOUR! Runs leaking with the second new ball here! On the pads yet again. This is clipped through square leg. No chance of stopping that.
82.1 – Fuller and on off. Williams drives it but to mid off.
81.6 – On middle. This is tucked through mid-wicket for one.
Batsman_1 : Sean Williams 135(152)
Batsman_2 : Craig Ervine 54(85)
Bowler : Naveed Zadran 1/59(13)
Over : 82
Run : 11
Wicket : 0
Score : 351/4
81.5 – Two! On middle. This is pulled through mid-wicket. Two taken.
81.4 – Outside off. Williams guides it past point for two.
81.3 – Around off. Length. Defended.
81.2 – FOUR LEG BYES! On the pads. Williams looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad and goes down to the fine leg fence.
81.1 – Two again! A little too leg side again. This is clipped through square leg. Two.