• Zimbabwe showcased a spectacular performance on Day 1 of the first Test against Afghanistan.

  • Sean Williams smashed a tremendous century to put Zimbabwe on top.

Twitter reactions: Sean Williams’ blazing ton puts Zimbabwe in commanding position on Day 1 of 1st Test against Afghanistan
Sean Williams powers Zimbabwe to strong position on Day 1 of first Test vs Afghanistan (Image Source: X)

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On the first day of the historic Boxing Day Test between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe showcased a commanding performance, finishing the day with a score of 363 for 4. The match, which was Zimbabwe’s first home Boxing Day Test in 28 years, saw several debutants from both sides, adding to the excitement of the encounter.

Early setback and Ben Curran’s impactful debut

Zimbabwe chose to bat first after winning the toss. The day began with some early jitters as both opener Joylord Gumbie was dismissed early. However, Ben Curran, making his Test debut, was really impressive. He contributed with a brisk 68 off 74 balls, setting a positive tone for the innings.

Sean Williams shines with a spectacular century

Although, it was Sean Williams who stole the show, hitting a sensational century and remaining unbeaten on 145. His innings was marked by skillful footwork and an array of shots, including drives, cuts, and pulls, helping him reach his fifth Test century in Bulawayo with a control percentage of 90 on a surface that offered turn.

Also READ: ZIM vs AFG: Here’s why Rashid Khan not playing the Boxing Day Test

Craig Ervine’s steady support in crucial partnership

Supporting Williams, Craig Ervine played an unbeaten knock of 56, contributing to an unbroken partnership of 143 for the sixth wicket. Earlier, Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Dion Myers added useful runs with scores of 27 and 27 respectively, though they couldn’t convert their starts into substantial innings.

Afghanistan’s bowling struggles in Rashid Khan’s absence

For Afghanistan, the absence of star player Rashid Khan, who pulled out due to personal reasons, was felt as their bowling attack struggled to make inroads. Allah Ghazanfar, making his Test debut, picked up two wickets but couldn’t prevent Zimbabwe from posting a strong total. The Afghan bowlers, particularly the spinners, found it challenging to contain the Zimbabwean batters on a pitch that seemed to favor the home side.

The day was also marked by weather concerns, with forecasts predicting rain throughout the match, potentially affecting the game’s progress. However, on Day 1, play was uninterrupted, allowing Zimbabwe to establish a dominant position.

Also READ: AUS vs IND: Here’s why Team India players are wearing black arm bands on Day 2 of the 4th Test against Australia

Here is how Twitter reacted

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About the Author:
AKSHAT GAUR
Akshat is the Sr. Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Akshat has honed his skills over 6 years, working with various media outlets, publications, and organizations to deliver high-quality content that informs, educates, and entertains audiences. He is just another cricket fan who’s grown up watching the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Cricket runs in his veins. Cover drive is his favorite sight, and a ball meeting the middle of the bat is his favorite sound. You can write to him at akshat.gaur@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter, Facebook & Linkedin.