Hey there, fellow cricket lovers! Welcome back to IPL Star, your go-to spot for all things cricket – from the glitzy IPL auctions to gritty Test battles like this one. If you’re a die-hard fan chasing the latest updates on international showdowns, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re diving deep into the electrifying Day 1 of the ZIM vs AFG Test 2025 – that one-off thriller between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan at the Harare Sports Club. Picture this: a comeback king ripping through the opposition, a resilient opener anchoring the chase, and a collapse that had fans on X buzzing like bees around honey. Yeah, it’s that kind of day!
Cricket isn’t just a game; it’s a rollercoaster of emotions, and this match delivered five heart-pounding moments that had us glued to our screens. Brad Evans’ heroic 5-wicket haul? Pure fire. Ben Curran’s unbeaten 52*? Stone-cold grit. And Afghanistan’s dramatic tumble from promise to peril? Oof, talk about a plot twist! Whether you’re reliving the action or catching up after missing the live stream, this recap packs everything: play-by-play breakdowns, stats in easy-to-scan tables, insider insights from the web and X chatter, and even a peek at what’s next. Grab your tea (or coffee – no judgments), settle in, and let’s unpack how Zimbabwe turned the screws on Day 1. Who’s ready to celebrate the hosts’ command? Let’s roll!
The Buzz Before the Ball: Why ZIM vs AFG Test 2025 Mattered More Than You Think
Before we charge into the chaos, let’s set the scene. It’s October 20, 2025, and Test cricket makes a triumphant return to Harare Sports Club after a four-year drought – the last red-ball action here was back in 2021. For Zimbabwe, this wasn’t just a game; it was a homecoming. The Chevrons, captained by the steady Craig Ervine, have been itching to reclaim their Harare mojo after nine straight home Test losses in Bulawayo. Afghanistan, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, rolled in as underdogs with a point to prove – their red-ball record against Zimbabwe stands at two losses, one win, and a draw from four clashes between 2021 and 2025.
The venue? Harare Sports Club, a cozy 10,000-seater nestled in Zimbabwe’s capital, famous for its City End and Club House End. It’s hosted legends since the Rhodesia days, but today, it was all about fresh blood: Afghanistan handing Test caps to seamer Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, spin-allrounder Sharafuddin Ashraf, and leggie Khalil Gurbaz. Zimbabwe countered with three tweaks to their XI, bringing back the fiery Brad Evans after a 32-month Test hiatus. Umpires Adrian Holdstock and Nitin Menon called the shots, with Forster Mutizwa on third ump duties and Richie Richardson as match ref. Weather? Overcast skies promising swing – perfect for a seamer’s paradise.
Toss time: Ervine calls heads, wins it, and without hesitation, elects to bowl first. Bold move? You bet. Harare’s pitch, fresh and green, screamed “seam-friendly” with hints of bounce and moisture from overnight dew. Historical nugget: In 68 Tests at this ground (Rhodesia era included), teams bowling first have snagged 28 wins to 21 for batting first, with 19 draws. Fans on X were split – some hailed it as genius, others as a gamble. As @ZBCNewsonline tweeted mid-session, “Zimbabwe take to lunch with the momentum” after early strikes. Turns out, it was the spark that lit Zimbabwe’s dominant Day 1 fire.
This context amps up the stakes: Afghanistan, missing talisman Rashid Khan (their top wicket-taker in the last Zim series), leaned on raw pace and untested spin. Zimbabwe? A blend of experience (Brendan Taylor’s return) and hunger (Evans’ comeback). By stumps, the hosts led by a whisker – three runs – but with eight wickets intact. Sentiment on X? Overwhelmingly positive for Zim: @WisdenCricket called Evans’ spell “dramatic,” while @Zolsky gushed, “Brad Evans stock continues to rise… Let’s win this Zimbabwe!” It’s clear – this ZIM vs AFG Test 2025 was no filler; it was a statement.
Afghanistan’s Rollercoaster Ride: From Fiery Start to Fiery End – The Full Batting Breakdown
Nothing hooks you like a batting collapse, right? Afghanistan’s innings was a classic tale of highs and brutal lows. Sent in to bat under gloomy skies, they started like they owned the joint. Opener Ibrahim Zadran, fresh off a solid ODI series, treated Richard Ngarava like a practice net – three boundaries in one over, racing to 19 off 23 balls at a strike rate of 82.61. Abdul Malik joined the party, watchfully nudging to 30 off 40, his Test-best score featuring two crisp fours off short balls.
By drinks in the 13th over, it was 68/1, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz unleashing T20 flair in Tests. The keeper-batter smashed 37 off 37, including an off-drive off a full-toss and a cheeky ramp over slips off Tanaka Chivanga. The second-wicket stand with Malik? A breezy 54 off 59 balls, pushing the score to 77/1. Run rate? Nearly six an over. X lit up: @JaayShaan noted, “Afghanistan from 77/1 ➡️ 127/9,” but at this point, it felt like Zim were the ones sweating.
Then, the tide turned – and how! Blessing Muzarabani, towering at 6’5″, extracted vicious bounce to snag Zadran, caught at third slip for 19 (5.4 overs). Gurbaz fell slicing Chivanga to point (15.3 overs), and disaster struck: a mix-up with skipper Shahidi saw Malik run out for 30 (17.1 overs), the ball ricocheting off a yorker squeeze. From 77/1 to 88/3 in a blink. Lunch loomed, and Brad Evans entered the chat.
The all-rounder’s penultimate pre-lunch over was magic: Shahidi edged a nibbler to gully for 7 (22.1 overs), then Afsar Zazai nicked a straightener behind for 1 (22.5 overs). Boom – 102/5 at the break. Post-lunch? Pure procession. Muzarabani mopped up Bahir Shah (edged to gully, 12) and Ismat Alam (strangled down leg, 8). Sharafuddin Ashraf skied to mid-off (0), and Evans cleaned up the tail: Khalil Gurbaz edged a bouncer (2), Ziaur Rahman Sharifi yorked first ball (0). Yamin Ahmadzai’s gritty 10* not out couldn’t save face – all out for 127 in 32.3 overs, their lowest vs Zim.
Web echoes this drama: Outlook India highlighted “Zimbabwe’s batters and bowlers on fire,” while ESPNcricinfo quipped, “Afghanistan collapsed like a house of cards.” On X, @apmahapatra lamented, “Afghanistan’s batting woes are seriously worrying… bundled out for 127.” Afghanistan’s away Test first-innings average? A shaky 198. Here, it was way off – nine wickets for 50 runs post-77/1. Tactical slip? Too aggressive on a seamer’s deck, ignoring the conditions. Partnerships crumbled after that 54-run gem; the rest were forgettable.
Let’s break it down in black and white – here’s the full Afghanistan batting scorecard for ZIM vs AFG Test 2025:
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ibrahim Zadran | c Nick Welch b Muzarabani | 19 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 82.61 |
| Abdul Malik | run out (Nick Welch/Tafadzwa Tsiga) | 30 | 40 | 2 | 0 | 75.00 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | c Raza b Tanaka Chivanga | 37 | 37 | 3 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi (c) | c Nick Welch b Brad Evans | 7 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Bahir Shah | c Brian Bennett b Muzarabani | 12 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Afsar Zazai (wk) | c Tafadzwa Tsiga b Brad Evans | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Ismat Alam | c Tafadzwa Tsiga b Muzarabani | 8 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Sharafuddin Ashraf | c Tanaka Chivanga b Brad Evans | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Yamin Ahmadzai | not out | 10 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Khalil Gurbaz | c Tafadzwa Tsiga b Brad Evans | 2 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 15.38 |
| Ziaur Rahman Sharifi | b Brad Evans | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | (b 0, lb 1, w 0, nb 0) | 1 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 127-10 (32.3 Overs, RR: 3.91) |
Fall of Wickets Table for Afghanistan’s Innings:
| Score | Over | Wicket Fallen |
|---|---|---|
| 23-1 | 5.4 | Ibrahim Zadran |
| 77-2 | 15.3 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
| 88-3 | 17.1 | Abdul Malik |
| 100-4 | 22.1 | Hashmatullah Shahidi |
| 102-5 | 22.5 | Afsar Zazai |
| 114-6 | 25.6 | Bahir Shah |
| 115-7 | 27.3 | Ismat Alam |
| 115-8 | 28.1 | Sharafuddin Ashraf |
| 127-9 | 32.2 | Khalil Gurbaz |
| 127-10 | 32.3 | Ziaur Rahman Sharifi |
Partnerships Table – Where It All Unraveled:
| Batsmen | Runs | Balls | Wicket Fell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ibrahim Zadran & Abdul Malik | 23 | 34 | 1st |
| Abdul Malik & Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 54 | 59 | 2nd |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz & Hashmatullah Shahidi | 11 | 10 | 3rd |
| Abdul Malik & Hashmatullah Shahidi | 11 | 30 | – |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi & Bahir Shah | 12 | 30 | 4th |
| Bahir Shah & Afsar Zazai | 2 | 4 | 5th |
| Bahir Shah & Ismat Alam | 12 | 19 | 6th |
| Ismat Alam & Sharafuddin Ashraf | 1 | 9 | 7th |
| Sharafuddin Ashraf & Yamin Ahmadzai | 0 | 4 | 8th |
| Yamin Ahmadzai & Khalil Gurbaz | 12 | 25 | 9th |
| Yamin Ahmadzai & Ziaur Rahman Sharifi | 0 | 1 | 10th |
Ouch. That 54-run stand was the highlight; everything else? A house of cards in a windstorm. News18 nailed it: “The tourists lost the toss and crashed from 77/2 to 127 all out.” For Afghan fans, it’s a wake-up call – their middle order needs steeling for away greens.
ESPNcricinfo for more stats!
Brad Evans’ Heroic 5-Wicket Haul: The Comeback Story That Stole the Show
If Day 1 had a MVP trophy, it’d be engraved “Brad Evans” faster than you can say “yorker.” The 28-year-old pacer, sidelined since February 2023, returned not just to play – but to conquer. His 5/22 in 9.3 overs? A maiden Test five-for, the best by a Zim seamer at Harare since Kyle Jarvis’ 5/17 vs Bangladesh in 2018. Economy? A miserly 2.30. This wasn’t luck; it was laser-focused skill.
Evans struck gold pre-lunch: Shahidi drove at a full ball that nipped away, pouched diving at gully (100/4). Three balls later, Zazai nicked a length straightener (102/5). Double whammy! Post-interval, he toyed with the tail – Ashraf skied a short one to mid-off, Khalil edged a bouncer, and that picture-perfect yorker demolished Sharifi’s stumps for his five-fer. As @Cricket_World posted, “Brad Evans takes 5️⃣… Zimbabwe dominate Day One!”
Backed by Blessing Muzarabani’s 3/47 – bounce snaring Zadran, Bahir, and Alam – and Chivanga’s 1/29 (Gurbaz’s slice), Zim’s attack was relentless. Ngarava leaked 28/0 early but tightened. Fielding? Gold-star: Welch’s diving grabs, Bennett’s low catch, Chivanga’s swoop. Reuters summed it: “Evans took five wickets… put the home side in a commanding position.”
Historical flex: Evans’ haul ranks top in Zim’s recent Tests. X fan @GodwinMamhiyo cheered, “What a performance Brad Evans! 🔥 5/22 to tear through Afghanistan.” For a niche blog like ours, this is gold – a homegrown hero rising. Check ESPNcricinfo’s scorecard for the raw numbers – but let’s table the bowling brilliance:
Zimbabwe Bowling Scorecard vs Afghanistan:
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Ngarava | 6 | 1 | 28 | 0 | 4.70 |
| Blessing Muzarabani | 11 | 1 | 47 | 3 | 4.30 |
| Tanaka Chivanga | 6 | 0 | 29 | 1 | 4.80 |
| Brad Evans | 9.3 | 2 | 22 | 5 | 2.30 |
| Total | 32.3 | – | 127 | 10 | – |
Muzarabani’s bounce was key, but Evans? The architect of collapse. Sportstar called it “Zimbabwe dominates Afghanistan”. Power to the pacer!
Zimbabwe’s Gritty Reply: Ben Curran’s 52* Anchors a Steady Climb to Glory
With 127 on the board, Zimbabwe’s batters strolled out knowing pressure was off – but early jitters hit. Brian Bennett, tentative against Yamin Ahmadzai’s outswingers, fell to Ziaur Rahman Sharifi’s inswinging pearler in over 4: off-stump cartwheeling for 6 (3.3 overs). X erupted – @areeb_7official dubbed it “maiden five-wicket haul” wait, no, that’s Evans; for Ziaur, it was his first Test scalp!
Enter the Curran-Welch duo: 97 runs off 178 balls of pure resolve. Ben Curran, the Irish-Zim opener, was Mr. Unflappable – 52* off 110 (5 fours), his second Test fifty. First boundary? A slash behind point off Ahmadzai (21st ball). He survived a helmet tap (ump Menon ruled glove, no HIA – over-rate drama!), then drove Ashraf through covers. Reaching 50 with a nudge in over 38? Chef’s kiss.
Nick Welch? Edgy but electric – 49 off 89 (5 fours, 1 six). He crunched boundaries off Ahmadzai, swept Khalil for four, then launched him over midwicket for six. Close calls? A leading edge, a no-ball edge reprieve (Alam overstepped). But Ziaur’s inswinger breached him at 106/2 (33.1 overs). Brendan Taylor, the veteran, sauntered in for 18* off 21 (3 fours), ramping Ziaur and lofting Ashraf. Stumps at 130/2 after bad light – lead by 3, but oh, the promise!
Afghan bowlers toiled: Ziaur’s 2/35 (13 overs) shone with swing, Ahmadzai 0/34 beat edges, but spinners leaked – Khalil 0/31, Ashraf 0/14. Ismat Alam’s 0/12 included that no-ball. Cricbuzz noted the final single: “Zimbabwe into the lead by 1 run.” SuperSport Blitz tweeted, “Ben Curran scored 52* as Zimbabwe reached 130-2.”
Batting table time – Zimbabwe’s steady sail:
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Bennett | b Ziaur Rahman Sharifi | 6 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Ben Curran | batting | 52* | 110 | 5 | 0 | 47.27 |
| Nick Welch | b Ziaur Rahman Sharifi | 49 | 89 | 5 | 1 | 55.06 |
| Brendan Taylor | batting | 18* | 21 | 3 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Extras | (b 1, lb 3, nb 1) | 5 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 130-2 (38 Overs, RR: 3.42) |
Fall of Wickets:
| Score | Over | Wicket Fallen |
|---|---|---|
| 9-1 | 3.3 | Brian Bennett |
| 106-2 | 33.1 | Nick Welch |
Partnerships – The Glue That Held:
| Batsmen | Runs | Balls | Wicket Fell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Bennett & Ben Curran | 9 | 21 | 1st |
| Ben Curran & Nick Welch | 97 | 178 | 2nd |
| Ben Curran & Brendan Taylor | 24 | 29 | – |
Curran’s knock? “Gritty,” per Sportstar. @Zolsky nailed it: “Ben Curran showing he is Mr dependable.” Eight wickets left – Zimbabwe dreaming big.
Afghanistan Bowling Table:
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamin Ahmadzai | 11 | 2 | 34 | 0 | 3.10 |
| Ziaur Rahman Sharifi | 13 | 2 | 35 | 2 | 2.70 |
| Sharafuddin Ashraf | 3 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 4.70 |
| Ismat Alam | 6 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 2.00 |
| Khalil Gurbaz | 5 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 6.20 |
Ziaur’s debut fire? Impressive. But Zim’s batsmen weathered it.
5 Epic Moments That Defined ZIM vs AFG Test 2025 Day 1 – Pure Cricket Drama!
No recap’s complete without the fireworks. These five moments from Day 1? They’ll live rent-free in our heads. Pulled from live updates, X reactions, and web highlights – let’s count ’em down!
- Ibrahim Zadran’s Boundary Blitz (Over 1-2): Ngarava’s first over? Zadran treats it like a net session – three fours, including a scorching cover drive. 19 off 23, strike rate 82.61. X buzz: Early optimism for AFG. As Outlook India said, “Zadran, Malik get AFG innings underway.” Power word: Explosive start!
- Gurbaz’s Ramp Rebellion (Over 10): With AFG at 50/1, Gurbaz ramps Chivanga over slips for four. 37 off 37 – T20 soul in Test garb. Partnership with Malik hits 54. @World_OfCricket tweeted the collapse later, but this? Peak positivity.
- Malik’s Run-Out Mayhem (17.1 Overs): Yorker squeezed, single called – Shahidi hesitates, Malik stranded at 30. Direct hit! From 77/1 to 88/3. Turning point, per ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball. Fan reaction on X: “Disastrous mix-up” – ouch.
- Evans’ Double Strike Pre-Lunch (22.1-22.5 Overs): Shahidi edges to gully, Zazai nicks behind – two in four balls! 77/1 becomes 102/5. @ZBCNewsonline live-tweeted the momentum shift. Heroic? Absolutely – Brad Evans’ haul ignites!
- Ziaur’s Stunner on Bennett & Curran’s Fifty Seal (Over 3.3 & 38): Inswinger castles Bennett for 6 – Ziaur’s maiden wicket. Fast-forward: Curran’s 50th run nudges Zim ahead by 3. @SuperSportBlitz: “Ben Curran 52* leads hosts.” Grit meets glory!
These snippets? From YouTube highlights to Cricbuzz commentary. Relive ’em – they’re why we love this game.
Harare’s Tricky Track: Pitch Report, Weather Woes, and Day 1 Secrets
Harare Sports Club’s pitch? A seamer’s dream with a twist. Fresh roll, green tinge, and seam movement galore – lateral nip, extra bounce from good lengths. Early moisture fueled swing; by tea, it eased a tad for batsmen. Overcast? Yes, till bad light yanked stumps early (38 overs only). Forecast for Day 2: Partly cloudy, 24°C, low rain (10% chance) – full play likely, per Cricket Times preview.
Day 1 stats: 12 wickets in 70.3 overs, average 10.6 overs per wicket. Spin? Barely used – seam ruled. For Day 2, expect flattening, inviting Raza’s off-spin or Khalil’s leggies. But seamers like Evans and Ziaur? Still kings. X’s @FrankMawoza1 (Zolsky) noted the control: “First day done… in control 💪🏿.” Pitch evolution: Starts spicy, mellows mid-game – classic Harare.
Match Flow Milestones Table:
| Milestone | Overs | Score/Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan 50 | 10.3 | 50/1 (Extras 0) |
| Drinks (AFG) | 13.0 | 68/1 |
| 2nd Wicket 50 (AFG) | – | 57 balls |
| Afghanistan 100 | 21.4 | 100/4 (Extras 0) |
| Lunch (AFG) | 24.0 | 106/5 |
| Innings Break (AFG) | 32.3 | 127/10 |
| Tea (ZIM) | 14.0 | 40/1 |
| Zimbabwe 50 | 17.4 | 50/1 (Extras 4) |
| 2nd Wicket 50 (ZIM) | – | 112 balls |
| Drinks (ZIM) | 28.0 | 85/1 |
| Zimbabwe 100 | 31.6 | 100/1 (Extras 5) |
| Ben Curran 50 | 108 balls | 52* |
| Stumps (Bad Light) | 38.0 | 130/2 |
Over-rate sedate? Ump interventions kept it snappy. For fans: This pitch could brew a low-scorer – or spin fireworks tomorrow.
Day 2 Dawn: Zimbabwe’s Path to Victory and Afghanistan’s Fightback Flicker
Stumps called, but the story’s just warming up. Zimbabwe? Poised like a cat eyeing cream – 130/2, Curran (52*) and Taylor (18*) unbroken. Goal: Pile on 150+ lead, roping in Ervine’s solidity and Raza’s flair. With eight wickets, a declaration tease looms if they hit 250. Evans’ arm? Fresh for a second dig.
Afghanistan? Cornered but crafty. Ziaur’s 2/35 screams “more swing, please.” Khalil’s leggies (0/31 today) could bite if the track cracks. Shahidi needs his middle order to rally – no more 9-for-50 meltdowns. Prediction? Zim favorites (Cricket Times odds: 60-40), but Tests twist. X’s @ChronicleZim: “Evans’ maiden fifer shakes Afghanistan.” Play resumes 10:00 AM local (8:00 AM GMT) – tune in via SuperSport or FanCode.
Strategic whispers: Zim’s seam depth (Muzarabani, Evans) vs AFG’s debutant pace. Spin duel? Raza vs Khalil. Weather holds – expect 90 overs. For IPL Star readers, this echoes IPL resilience: Grit wins auctions, and Tests.
Wrapping the Epic: Why ZIM vs AFG Test 2025 Day 1 Will Echo Loud
What a ride! Brad Evans’ heroic 5-wicket haul dismantled dreams, Ben Curran’s 52* rebuilt hope, and Zimbabwe’s three-run lead feels like a mountain. Afghanistan’s collapse? A harsh lesson in away blues. From Zadran’s fireworks to Evans’ yorker magic, Day 1 was Test cricket at its raw, riveting best – 12 wickets, endless edges, and X roars from @ReutersSports to @CricHighVidz.
This ZIM vs AFG Test 2025 isn’t over; it’s ignited. Zim fans, your Chevrons are roaring back. AFG supporters, chin up – comebacks are cricket’s spice. What’s your take? Drop a comment: Can Zimbabwe wrap this in three days, or will Afghanistan script a miracle? Vote in our quick poll below: Who owned Day 1?
Poll: Day 1 Star?
- Brad Evans (5/22 heroics)
- Ben Curran (52* anchor)
- Blessing Muzarabani (3/47 support)
- Other (tell us!)
Share this on X or Facebook – tag a mate who missed the drama! For more ZIM vs AFG Test 2025 updates, check our series preview or Harare venue guide. External deep dive? ESPNcricinfo’s report or Cricbuzz live. Follow IPL Star for Day 2 live blogs – cricket never sleeps!
FAQs for ZIM vs AFG Test 2025 Day 1 Recap
- What happened on Day 1 of the ZIM vs AFG Test 2025?
On Day 1 of the Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan One-Off Test at Harare Sports Club (October 20, 2025), Zimbabwe dominated by bowling out Afghanistan for 127 in 32.3 overs, led by Brad Evans’ heroic 5-wicket haul (5/22). Zimbabwe replied with 130/2, taking a 3-run lead, thanks to Ben Curran’s gritty 52* and Nick Welch’s 49. - Who took the most wickets in Afghanistan’s innings in the ZIM vs AFG Test 2025?
Brad Evans claimed a stunning 5/22, including a maiden Test five-for, dismissing key batters like Hashmatullah Shahidi and Ziaur Rahman Sharifi. Blessing Muzarabani supported with 3/47, contributing to Afghanistan’s batting collapse. - How did Ben Curran perform on Day 1 of the ZIM vs AFG Test 2025?
Ben Curran anchored Zimbabwe’s reply with an unbeaten 52* off 110 balls, featuring 5 fours. His gritty half-century, alongside a 97-run stand with Nick Welch, guided Zimbabwe to a 3-run lead at 130/2 by stumps. - Why did Afghanistan collapse in the ZIM vs AFG Test 2025 Day 1?
Afghanistan’s batting collapse from 77/1 to 127/10 was triggered by aggressive shot-making on a seam-friendly Harare pitch. Key moments included Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s dismissal (37), Abdul Malik’s run-out (30), and Brad Evans’ double strike before lunch. - What was the Harare Sports Club pitch like during ZIM vs AFG Test 2025?
The Harare pitch offered seam movement, extra bounce, and early moisture, favoring pacers like Brad Evans and Blessing Muzarabani. It eased slightly for batting by tea, but bad light stopped play early at 38 overs. - Who were the standout bowlers in Zimbabwe’s attack on Day 1?
Brad Evans (5/22) led with a heroic five-wicket haul, while Blessing Muzarabani took 3/47 with bounce-heavy dismissals. Tanaka Chivanga chipped in with 1/29, exploiting Afghanistan’s batting frailties. - How did Ziaur Rahman Sharifi perform for Afghanistan in the Test?
Debutant Ziaur Rahman Sharifi shone with 2/35, dismissing Brian Bennett (6) and Nick Welch (49) with swinging deliveries. His disciplined bowling offered Afghanistan hope despite their batting collapse. - What were the key moments of ZIM vs AFG Test 2025 Day 1?
Highlights included Ibrahim Zadran’s early boundary blitz, Gurbaz’s ramp shot, Abdul Malik’s run-out, Evans’ pre-lunch double strike, and Ben Curran’s fifty sealing Zimbabwe’s lead. These moments defined the thrilling clash. - What’s the Day 2 outlook for ZIM vs AFG Test 2025?
ZIM vs AFG Test 2025 Zimbabwe, at 130/2, aim to extend their lead past 150 with Curran (52*) and Taylor (18*). Afghanistan need early wickets from Ziaur and Khalil Gurbaz’s spin to fight back on a pitch that may favor spin. - Where can I find live updates for ZIM vs AFG Test 2025?
ZIM vs AFG Test 2025 Follow live coverage on IPL Star for Day 2 updates, or check ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz for scorecards and highlights. Watch via SuperSport or FanCode for real-time action starting 10:00 AM local.