On this day in 2021: Zimbabwe crush Afghanistan in two days
Despite attaining Test status in the early 1990s, Zimbabwe hasn’t been able to produce many wins in the format and it has been one of their long-term goals. However, they did manage to bag a memorable victory against the Afghanistan side on this day last year having rolled up the game in just two days at the Sheik Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
The Afghanistan side won the toss and chose to bat in the hot conditions. Blessing Mazurabani got through the defence of Abdul Malik with the very first ball of the Test and it could not have been a better start to the visitors. Victor Nyauchi joined the show as well, picking up regular wickets and both bowlers accounted for seven of the Afghanistan wickets. In the end, Afghanistan was dismissed for just 131 in 47 overs in their first innings.
In reply, the Zimbabwe side put up a better show with the bat as the skipper Sean Williams looked in sublime touch with a century while Sikandar Raza and Regis Chakabva supported him well with the 40s. Left-arm spinner Amir Hamza picked up a six-wicket haul and Zimbabwe ended with 250 in their first innings with a lead of 119 runs.
Zimbabwe complete an easy win
In the second innings, Afghanistan needed a better batting display, however, apart from opener Ibrahim Zadran (76), no other batter showed some resistance. Donald Tripano and Nyauchi picked up three wickets each as the hosts were again bundled out for 135 in the 46th over. The visitors were set a target of just 17 runs to win and they reached it comfortably with ten wickets in hand.
It was a big surprise that the Test ended within two days of time and Zimbabwe took a lead of 1-0 in the two-match Test series. Skipper WIlliams bagged the man of the match award for his century as well as picking up two wickets in the Test.
