Zimbabwe ended a 12-year wait for a home Test win, thrashing Afghanistan by an innings and 73 runs at the Harare Sports Club. Left-arm pacer Richard Ngarava’s career-best 5 for 37 led the charge as the hosts bundled out Afghanistan for 159 in their second innings to seal their biggest-ever Test triumph.
The match wrapped up inside three days, with Ngarava’s relentless precision under cloudy skies completing Zimbabwe’s first innings victory since 2001.
Chivanga strikes early, Ngarava takes charge
Captain Craig Ervine’s decision to open with Tanaka Chivanga instead of Blessing Muzarabani paid immediate dividends. Chivanga removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz (9) with a sharp catch by wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga, setting the tone for the morning.
Ngarava soon joined the act, dismissing Ibrahim Zadran for 42, again with Tsiga in the thick of the action. Hashmatullah Shahidi’s (7) brief stay ended in similar fashion, and Afghanistan’s middle order crumbled despite Bahir Shah’s gritty 32.
Muzarabani then turned up the heat with a short ball that had Bahir ballooning to Ben Curran, before removing Afsar Zazai (18) to leave the visitors tottering at 127 for 6 by lunch.
Brilliance behind the stumps, precision with the ball
Post-lunch, Tsiga produced one of the catches of the match — a one-handed screamer to dismiss Ismat Alam (16) off Ngarava’s bowling.
It was one of those catches you just stick your glove out for and hope it sticks.
Ngarava soon completed his maiden five-wicket haul as Sharafuddin Ashraf edged to second slip. Muzarabani mopped up the tail with a stunning yorker that shattered Ziaur Rahman’s stumps, finishing with six wickets across both innings.
Curran and Raza lay the platform
Zimbabwe’s dominance was built on Ben Curran’s composed 121 and Sikandar Raza’s steady 65, giving the hosts a 232-run lead that proved insurmountable. Curran’s innings earned him the Player of the Match award.
The guys have learnt a fair bit over the last few months. The bowlers were outstanding — Brad in the first innings and Richie in the second. It’s very special to finally win at home after such a long wait.
Afghanistan Rue Batting Collapse
Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi admitted his team’s inexperience was costly. “They played really good cricket. The pitch supported the fast bowlers, and we didn’t apply ourselves,” he said. “We started well but kept losing back-to-back wickets. In Test cricket, winning the first day is very important.”
Zimbabwe eye T20I momentum
With the landmark win behind them, Zimbabwe will now shift focus to the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, beginning October 29 in Harare.
Brief Scores: Afghanistan 127 & 159 in 43 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 42, Bahir Shah 32; Richard Ngarava 5-37, Blessing Muzarabani 4-38) Zimbabwe 359 (Ben Curran 121, Sikandar Raza 65; Ziaur Rahman Sharifi 7-97) Result: Zimbabwe won by an innings & 73 runs.
