On Day 2 of the first Test between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Afghanistan’s left-arm off-spinner Zia-ur-Rehman provided a much-needed breakthrough for his team. He clean bowled Zimbabwe’s lower-order batter, Brandon Mavuta, who was dismissed for a duck. The wicket came in the 111th over of Zimbabwe’s innings, when Mavuta faced just two deliveries.
Brandon Mavuta’s dismissal: A classic off-spinners delight
In a beautifully executed delivery, Rehman bowled a left-arm off-spin that pitched on leg stump and spun sharply to strike the top of off stump. Mavuta, attempting to defend, played the wrong line, and the ball turned viciously to hit the stumps. The dismissal came at a critical moment, as Mavuta was sent packing for a duck. Rehman’s celebration was a testament to the quality of his bowling, and it was a crucial wicket for Afghanistan.
Here is the video:
— Acb Xtra (@123of143) December 27, 2024
Before taking Mavuta’s wicket, Rehman had already made an impact by dismissing Zimbabwe’s captain, Craig Ervine. Ervine, who had been in superb form, was the top scorer for Zimbabwe with a magnificent 104 runs. His dismissal at such a crucial point brought some relief to Afghanistan, easing the pressure on their bowlers. Rehman’s timely breakthroughs were pivotal in slowing down Zimbabwe’s dominating momentum.
Also READ: Zimbabwe’s batting fireworks lead to historic high against Afghanistan on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test
Zimbabwe’s dominant batting performance
Despite Rehman’s efforts, Zimbabwe’s batting performance in their first innings was exceptional. After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Zimbabwe posted a mammoth total of 586. The innings featured three centurions: Sean Williams, Brian Bennett, and the aforementioned Ervine. The Zimbabwean batsmen were in complete control, with their partnership building steadily, leaving Afghanistan struggling to break through.
Afghanistan’s response has been challenging, as they reached 95 for the loss of two wickets by the end of Day 2. They trail Zimbabwe by a massive 491 runs, facing an uphill battle to match Zimbabwe’s total.