Zimbabwe – 363-4 in 85 overs (Sean Williams 145*, Ben Curran 68, Craig Ervine 56*; AM Ghazanfar 2/83, Naveed Zadran 1/64, Zahir Khan 1/88)
Afghanistan –
Day 1 – Stumps
A superb unbeaten century from Sean Williams was the major highlight as Zimbabwe dominated the opening day of their historic Boxing Day Test against Afghanistan at Queens Sports Club on Thursday, finishing on an imposing 363 for four wickets.
Williams, in sublime form, ended the day on 145 not out, sharing an unbroken 143-run partnership for the fifth wicket with captain Craig Ervine, who played a composed innings of 56 not out.
Zimbabwe fielded three debutants for this landmark match in Ben Curran, Trevor Gwandu and Newman Nyamhuri.
Notably, Nyamhuri’s inclusion marks only the second instance of a Zimbabwean player making his first-class debut in a Test, following Ujesh Ranchod.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, the hosts opened their innings with Joylord Gumbie and Curran.
While Gumbie adopted a cautious approach, Curran signalled his aggressive intent early, racing to double figures within nine balls with some elegant strokes.
Their opening stand was worth 43 when Gumbie, on nine, edged a catch to the wicketkeeper off Naveed Zadran.
Curran initially slowed down after Gumbie’s dismissal but quickly regained momentum, smashing Zahir Khan for four boundaries in five consecutive balls.
He raced to a fifty off just 54 balls and looked poised for a memorable century on debut.
However, he fell for 68, bowled through the gate by AM Ghazanfar after facing just 74 balls and striking 11 fours.
His partner was Takudzwanashe Kaitano, who was batting very cautiously for 13 at the interval.
After lunch, Williams wasted no time, striking his first two balls for four and three.
Williams and Kaitano shared a promising 78-run partnership for the third wicket.
Kaitano, nearing a well-deserved fifty, fell for 46 off 115 balls when he miscued a slog-sweep off Zahir Khan and was caught at slip.
Dion Myers then supported Williams in a 50-run stand for the fourth wicket.
Myers batted briskly for 27 off 37 balls before mistiming a pull shot to give Ghazanfar a return catch shortly after the tea break.
Ervine took time to settle in but grew increasingly assured as the day progressed.
Meanwhile, Williams continued his fluent innings, reaching his fifth Test century off just 115 balls.
By stumps, Ervine had reached his own half-century, ensuring Zimbabwe ended the day firmly in control.
Although Ghazanfar emerged as Afghanistan’s most successful bowler, claiming two wickets, all their bowlers conceded more than three runs per over on a tough day in the field.
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