Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE moved from the bottom of the ICC Test rankings after thrashing Afghanistan by an innings and 73 runs at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
The two teams swapped positions.
The Chevrons are now ranked 11th while Afghanistan are in 12th place.
Australia remain top.
South Africa (2), England (3), India (4), New Zealand (5), Sri Lanka (6), Pakistan (7), West Indies (8), Bangladesh (9) and Ireland (10) occupy the other positions.
Batting first, Afghanistan suffered a collapse, and were all out for 127 after they were 77-1 at one stage.
Brad Evans was the star with the ball, picking up his maiden five-for, finishing with 5-22 in 9.3 overs.
In reply, Zimbabwe put on 359, led by a hundred from Ben Curran.
Sikandar Raza contributed an 88-ball 65 at No.6, as Zimbabwe crossed the 350-run mark.
It ensured they did not have to bat again, as Afghanistan were unable to put on a fight in their second outing.
Barring opener Ibrahim Zadran, no other batter crossed 35, as they were all out for 159, giving Zimbabwe an innings win in the one-off Test.
It was their biggest Test win, and just the third victory by an innings in the format.
The result saw Zimbabwe jump over Afghanistan in the ICC Test rankings, to No.11.
They have 12 rating points, while Afghanistan are now at the bottom, at No.12, with 10 rating points.
Zimbabwe had only won one of their previous 17 Tests.
The pace proved the tourists’ undoing with Richard 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.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board called it a disappointing result for their team.
“A disappointing result for Afghanistan as they fall short by an innings and 73 runs in the solitary Test match against Zimbabwe. The T20I series will begin next week with the first match being slotted for Wednesday, October 29, in Harare,” the ACB posted on Twitter.
It triggered a lot of feedback from the Afghanistan fans.
Here are some of the comments:
Afghanistan should focus on their pace attack also. They can get inspired from Bangladesh in this matter.
Bangladesh made some quality pacers for the Test team recently (including Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadat Hossain).
Even in ODI Bangladesh got some talent like Tanzim Shakib. — Shadman Sakib Arnob
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It is shameful how ACB is treating the Test side of Afghan cricket team. While Test is the main and big version of cricket, ACB does not give this side any importance & selection is mostly disastrous. Shameful ACB for such results. —@afghanpeace2020
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Stop playing Tests. There was no need for this Test. We could’ve played 5 T20i’s with Zim or 3 ODIs instead. Wasted everyone’s time. And it’s time to drop Hashmat from captaincy. —Ajmal Sharifi
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All the players were not mentally set to play Test match. Every player was attempting to hit short ball even though they could leave it. The key point in Test is to stay on wicket and give yourself time but Afghan players were in hurry. —@ACBOfficials
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Shame on your selection. It seems the ACB have no idea or plan for making proper teams for the different formats. Unfortunately, there are few individuals but no Teams. And plz, get rid of Hashmat —the captain of ODI and Test. Thank you. — Nazir Khan
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Every match has positive and negative points, the positive point this match was that we found a fast bowler Sharifi and the negative was/is and will be selection of Afsar Zazai and few others. —@AsadullahHanifi
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Zimbabwe deserves a lot of respect, their bowlers was very effective throughout the match. On the other side Afghanistan must get more Test matches to develop and improve. Better luck next time Afghanistan. — KhazayaAli
