Zimbabwe pacer Brad Evans wreaked havoc on Day 1 of one-off Test against Afghanistan with a five-wicket haul at Harare Sports Club. On October 20, Afghanistan suffered a monumental batting collapse. From 77/1 in the 16th over, they were bowled out for 127 after Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine put them to bat first.
Evans bowled 9.3 overs, conceded 22 runs and picked up five wickets. This is the least amount of runs conceded to take five wickets by a Zimbabwe bowler in their Test cricket history. The previous record belonged to legendary Heath Streak. In March 2000, Streak took five wickets for 27 runs to help his side bowl out West Indies for 147. West Indies won that Test in Port of Spain by 35 runs. Streak claimed nine wickets in the clash.
“Heath was a Zimbabwe cricket legend, so to better his figures makes my achievement all the more special," Evans told the reporters after scripting history.
This is Evans' second Test appearance. He made his Test debut against Zimbabwe more than two years ago.
For Afghanistan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the top run-scorer. He contributed with a run-a-ball 37. It was Tanaka Chivanga who dismissed him. Evans' dismissals were captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, wicketkeeper-batter Afsar Zazai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Khalil Gurbaz and Ziaur Rahman Sharifi.
Curran, Welch help Zimbabwe take lead
After bowling out Afghanistan for 127 in 32.3 overs, Zimbabwe managed to take a three-run lead. Sharifi struck early by knocking over Brian Bennett in the fourth over of the innings. Ben Curran and Nick Welch shared a 97-run partnership for the second wicket. Sharifi returned to dismiss Welch who missed his fifty. He scored 49 runs from 89 balls, including five fours and a six. At the end of Day 1's play, Zimbabwe were 130/2 from 38 overs. Curran remained unbeaten for 52 off 110 balls. On the other end, veteran batter Brendan Taylor scored 18 runs from 21 balls.
On Day 2, Zimbabwe batters have their work cut out. They have a chance to take a humongous lead in the one-off Test.