New Delhi: Veteran middle-order batsman Sean Williams remained not out on 145 as Zimbabwe reached 363 for four on the opening day of the first Test against Afghanistan in Bulawayo on Thursday. At 38, Williams is just seven runs away from surpassing his highest Test score of 151 not out, which came in a defeat to Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi three years ago.
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A #BoxingDay special from Sean Williams!
The Zimbabwean veteran made full use of the good batting conditions, playing shots all around the ground to bring up a memorable hundred! #ZIMvAFGonFanCode pic.twitter.com/iKUmTHYScz
— FanCode (@FanCode) December 26, 2024
In his 16th Test appearance, Williams came in at No. 4 after debutant opener Ben Curran’s 68 had helped Zimbabwe reach 92-2 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. Playing in his hometown, Williams shared a 78-run partnership with Takudzwanashe Kaitano (46) for the third wicket and added 50 with Dion Myers (27) for the fourth. He then formed a crucial 143-run partnership with captain Craig Ervine (56 not out), as the Zimbabwean batters finally delivered strong performances following a series of disappointing white-ball scores in recent losses to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Left-handed Williams, who made his Test debut against the West Indies in 2013, hit three sixes and nine fours off 161 balls to score his fifth century. Ervine, facing 94 balls, struck six fours in Zimbabwe’s first Boxing Day Test since their rain-affected draw with England in Harare 28 years ago. Curran, son of late Zimbabwe coach Kevin Curran and brother of England internationals Tom and Sam, scored 74 runs off 74 balls, including 11 fours.
Opener Joylord Gumbie was the only Zimbabwean not to reach double figures, dismissed for nine after being caught by wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai off Naveed Zadran’s medium-pace delivery. Teenage off-spinner Allah Ghazanfar (2-83) was the most effective Afghan bowler, taking the wickets of Curran and Myers.
However, the tourists’ bowling attack was largely ineffective. They bowled too many wayward deliveries, had issues with line and length, and were further hindered by some careless fielding. Both teams are aiming for their first Test win since they last defeated each other in the United Arab Emirates three years ago.
