Zimbabwe right-arm fast bowler Brad Evans made a massive impact on the first day of the only Test match between the two teams at Harare Sports Club, by dismantling Afghanistan's batting lineup. In just his second Test match and first match since February 2023, the pacer went out of his way with an incredible performance. He grabbed 5 wickets while conceding only 22 runs in 9.3 overs and thus beautifully led the way for Zimbabwe.
Brad Evans surpasses late Heath Streak’s long-standing record
Brad Evans took down Hashmatullah Shahidi and Afsar Zazai, among others dismissing Afghanistan for 127 in the first hour after the lunch break. Not only did his show disrupt the Afghan team, but he also broke the record for the best five-wicket figures by a Zimbabwean bowler in Tests, going past the late Heath Streak. Streak had 5-27 against West Indies at Port of Spain in March 2000, a record that Evans broke by five runs.
His 5-22 is now the most economical five-wicket haul in Zimbabwe’s Test history, which is a landmark moment for the 27-year-old fast bowler.
Following Evans’ heroics, Ben Curran’s 121 and Sikandar Raza’s 65 powered Zimbabwe to 359, giving them a commanding 232-run lead. For Afghanistan, Ziaur Rahman impressed with figures of 7 for 97. In response, Afghanistan reached 33-1 at stumps, still 199 runs behind Zimbabwe’s first-innings total.
