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Zimbabwe earn rare Test victory as Afghanistan go down; Ngarava and Curran lead first home Test win in 12 years
By Agencies
Zimbabwe quick Richard Ngarava took five wickets to skittle Afghanistan for 159 in their second innings and win their one-off Test by an innings and 73 runs on the third day in Harare.
The hosts, who had only won one of their previous 17 Tests, had dismissed the Afghanis for 127 in their first innings on the opening day on Monday and then amassed a 233-run lead with their 359 in reply.
Ben Curran scored a maiden Test ton for Zimbabwe.
Afghanistan were 1-34 overnight but only opener Ibrahim Zadran (42) and Bahir Shah (32) showed any resistance at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.
The pace proved the tourists’ undoing with Ngarava returning his best Test figures of 5-37 in 13 overs while opening bowler Blessing Muzarabani contributed with 3-48.
It was only the third time Zimbabwe had won a Test by an innings, adding to similar success over Pakistan in Harare in 1995 and Bangladesh in Bulawayo six years later.
After the game, Zimbabwe captain Ervine said a win in their final Test match of the year was satisfying.
“I’m ecstatic. A lot of credit to the boys for fighting and winning to end a tough year of Test cricket,” Ervine said. “The way we started, in the first hour of day one wasn’t good, but the way the boys pulled things back was excellent. Then with the bat, Curran’s innings – full of composure and discipline – was outstanding.
“The wicket offered something throughout, so the boys did well to put on some good partnerships. The boys have learnt with the Test cricket they’ve played in the last six-seven months to find their game.
“Brad [Evans] with the five-for in the first innings and Richie [Ngarava] stepped up in the second innings. TK [Chivanga] was superb and Bless [Muzarabani] was unlucky not to take a few more wickets.”