Online Reporter
BEN Curran is the first member of Curran cricket-playing family to record a hundred in both the Test and ODI formats as his maiden ton helped Zimbabwe to remain in control of their one-off Test against Afghanistan at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
The hosts ended their first innings on 359, a healthy lead of 232 runs and struck early in Afghanistan’s reply to ensure they will go into day three 198 runs adrift.
The Chevrons hold all the aces after having bundled out Afghanistan for 127 on day one, and then converting a three-run lead to a 233-run lead, thanks mainly to a gritty, layered 121 from Ben Curran and a calculated 65 from Sikandar Raza.
Ziaur Rahman’s 7 for 97 was a dream career-best on Test debut.
He became the first bowler to take seven or more wickets via bowled or LBW in a Test innings since Imran Khan in 1982.
Afghanistan batted for 12 overs before stumps and lost opener Abdul Malik to Richard Ngarava.
Ibrahim Zadran got off to a start and was unbeaten on 25.
On a day tailor-made for pacers in the early part of the battle, the proactivity of another Taylor – Brendan – and the experience of Craig Ervine were no match for the reveries of a Harare pitch offering up-and-down as well as sideways movement.
Taylor got an edged boundary through gully and a chipped four through mid-on.
Despite being decisive and even picking up a boundary to third from an edge off a flashing cut and looking solid in defence, the right-handed Taylor fell to a vicious delivery from Ziaur, who then used his allies – low bounce and seam in – to trap the left-handed Craig Ervine lbw.
Curran, at the other end, grew into a natural rhythm.
Raza came in with his problem-solver hat on, walking down the pitch and shuffling sideways against the pace of Ismat Alam and Ziaur.
He had nervy moments – like a chip to cover off Alam but overcame them while disregarding the threats posed by the conditions and some skillful bowling.
Yamin Ahmadzai’s accuracy and consistency in a six-over collection, split across two spells between overs 38 and 56, saw two maidens, just 11 runs but no wickets.
Curran and Raza built their 99-run stand in 160 balls with Curran scoring 33 despite facing a healthy share of 72 balls.
The clear roles and the duo’s commitment ground down Afghanistan, who had an upbeat presence at the start – with chatter and buzz from the keeper and cordons.
Zimbabwe went into lunch on 214 for 4, with Curran on 79* and Raza 37*.
The older ball, tiring bowlers and the fewer challenges posed by Hashmatullah Shahidi’s part-time bowling and Khalil Gurbaz’s awkward action, helped the two batters consolidate.
Curran brought up his 217-ball ton off Shahidi’s flick.
Raza hit three fours off Sharafuddin Ashraf between overs 69 and 72, but then fell looking for the fourth, after top-edging a slog sweep to Yamin Ahmadzai running around from deep square leg to take the catch.
Scores
Afghanistan – 127 and 34/1
Zimbabwe – 359. – Sports Reporter/Cricinfo
