KABUL (Pajhwok): Brad Evans claimed a five-wicket haul and Ben Curran struck a composed half-century as Zimbabwe seized early control of the one-off Test against Afghanistan, ending the opening day with a first-innings lead and eight wickets intact.

After opting to bowl first on a lively surface offering movement for the fast bowlers, Zimbabwe bundled out Afghanistan for a paltry 127 inside a session and a half.

Evans, returning to Test cricket after more than a year, claimed career-best figures with a superb display of disciplined seam bowling.

Afghanistan had started brightly after being put in to bat, with Ibrahim Zadran and Abdul Malik adding quick runs early. Ibrahim struck three boundaries off Richard Ngarava, but Blessing Muzarabani's bounce and movement soon had him edging to third slip in the sixth over.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz's aggressive stroke play briefly lifted the visitors' scoring rate to nearly six an over, but Zimbabwe regrouped after the drinks break to trigger a dramatic collapse.

Chivanga removed Gurbaz for 32, while a mix-up between Malik and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi led to Malik's run-out for 30.

Evans then struck twice before lunch, removing Shahidi and Afsar Zazai in the same over to reduce Afghanistan from a comfortable 77 for 1 to 102 for 5. The visitors never recovered thereafter.

Muzarabani picked up two quick wickets after the interval, while Evans cleaned up the tail - finishing with 5 for 36 as Afghanistan lost nine wickets for just 50 runs.

In reply, Zimbabwe made a cautious start. Brian Bennett fell early to Ziaur Rahman, but Curran and debutant Nick Welch steadied the innings with a gritty partnership. The pair took Zimbabwe to safety before tea, surviving testing spells from Afghanistan's quicks.

After tea, Welch enjoyed some luck - surviving a caught-behind appeal overturned for a no-ball - before being bowled by Ziaur for 45.

Curran, showing solid temperament, reached his half-century off 108 deliveries and remained unbeaten as Zimbabwe took the lead late in the day.

Brendan Taylor, playing his comeback Test, looked composed alongside Curran as bad light forced an early close.

At stumps, Zimbabwe were well-placed, having justified their decision to bowl first on the returning Test surface in Harare.

sa

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