Evans Shines with Five-Wicket Haul in Zimbabwe’s Commanding Victory Over Afghanistan

Brad Evans set a new record for Zimbabwe’s bowling as the home team dominated the opening day of a standalone Test match against Afghanistan at Harare Sports Club on Monday.

After losing the toss, Afghanistan’s innings collapsed from 77-2 to 127 all out, with Evans claiming five wickets and right-arm fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani taking three.

Zimbabwe’s innings was stabilized by a 97-run partnership for the second wicket between Ben Curran, who remained unbeaten on 52, and Nick Welch, who scored 49, guiding the team to 130-2 at the close of play, a three-run lead with eight wickets in hand.

Evans, back in the Test squad after more than two years mostly due to injuries, claimed five of the last seven Afghan wickets, conceding just 22 runs in 57 deliveries.

This performance set a new record for the least number of runs conceded by a Zimbabwean bowler taking five wickets in a Test, surpassing the late Heath Streak’s 5-27 against the West Indies in Port of Spain 24 years earlier.

“Heath was a legend in Zimbabwe cricket, so surpassing his record makes this achievement even more special,” said the 28-year-old to reporters.

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For Afghanistan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (37) and Abdul Malik (30) were the only batters to find some form, adding 65 runs for the second wicket before the collapse.

Looking to improve on a recent record of just one Test win in the last eight, Zimbabwe recovered well after opener Brian Bennett (6) was dismissed with only nine runs on the board.

Curran and Welch carefully rebuilt the innings and, after Welch fell just one run short of his fourth Test fifty, seasoned player Brendan Taylor quickly added 18 runs.

Welch hit one six and five fours, while Curran struck five fours against an Afghan bowling attack with debutant Ziaur Rahman (2-35) putting in the best performance.

Following the Test match, the teams are scheduled to play three Twenty20 internationals on October 29, 31, and November 2, also in Harare.

Published on Oct 20, 2025