Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Chevrons have roared back in style! Zimbabwe’s senior men’s cricket team thrashed Afghanistan by an innings and 73 runs in a one-off Test at Harare Sports Club, their biggest ever win in red-ball cricket.
It was a dream return to form for the home side, sealing their first home Test win in 12 years and only their third-ever innings victory. The boys needed just one and a half sessions on day three to wrap up business and silence their critics.
Ben Curran was the rock with the bat, blasting a classy 121 off 256 balls, while the pace trio of Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani ran riot with the ball.
Evans sparked the collapse in the first innings with a career-best 5/22, skittling Afghanistan for just 127. Curran’s ton then powered Zimbabwe to 359, giving the hosts a massive lead.
When it was Ngarava’s turn, he delivered fireworks of his own, ripping through the Afghan batting lineup with a maiden five-for (5/37) to seal the historic win. Muzarabani chipped in with 3/48, while Tanaka Chivanga’s sharp pace also kept the visitors under pressure.
From the first ball, Zimbabwe looked hungry. Afghanistan never recovered from early blows, sliding from 60/4 to a humbling 159 all out.
The victory, Zimbabwe’s second Test triumph of the year, signalled a fresh dawn for the Chevrons after years of heartbreak in the longer format.
Curran’s patient ton earned him the Player of the Match gong, the cherry on top of a performance that had fans at Harare Sports Club chanting his name long after the final wicket fell.
