We didn’t play good cricket – Afghanistan captain … Ben Curran Player of the Match

Zimpapers Sports Hub

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi believes they were not good enough in their innings and 73 runs loss to Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.

The visitors were dismissed for 159 in the second session of their second innings of the only test after being bowled out for 127 in the first innings.

Ben Curran was Player of the Match in what has is Zimbabwe’s first test win at home since 2013.

Richard Ngarava took 5-37 in Afghanistan’s second innings and was supported by Blessing Muzarabani (3-48) and Tanaka Chivanga (2-40).

Shahidi said: “Yeah, first off all, they played really good cricket. The conditions were supporting the fast bowlers, ball was seaming around.

“We didn’t play good cricket. We wanted to bat first. The first hour, we were 80/1. The collapse after that let us down as a team. I think when we gave back-to-back wickets and didn’t recover well.

“It was because of less experience of playing Test cricket. In Test cricket, the first day is very important, that gives you momentum looking forward. Zia bowled really well.

“When we played first class cricket, we played in the same team. I felt there he was ready for the Test format. Hopefully, he carries on the same way, and plays long for Afghanistan in the future.