Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, 1st Test at Bulawayo, ZIM vs AFG, Dec 26 2024 - Ball by Ball Commentary

Oh, phew! That's all we have to do today. I hope your experience with us was enjoyable. It's time to go. See you all at the same venue on January 2nd for the series' second Test Match. Till then, take care. Wishing you a wonderful new year.I'm signing off on behalf of Harshith, Himanshu, and myself, Rashad.

Player of the Match Hashmatullah Shahidi: "Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim (In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful) Uh, absolutely feeling very happy. When you're doing a special thing for your country in the Test format. So it's it means a lot to me and hopefully, I carry on this momentum and do well for my country especially when it comes to Test format and hopefully more to come. (Social Media Critics) Uh, to be honest. I don't follow social media that much, but our country people have their own rights. They criticize me or other players. But what we do is we give our hundred percent and we try our best training hard to do something special for the country. And I think Rahmat and Afsar did really well in this Match. Hopefully, our country's people will now be happy with this performance. (Day 4 tactics) Uh honestly if I say the right thing we wanted to play through the last session and give them batting for the last 30 minutes. But unfortunately, the rain came and that was not in our control. I think that changed the game and I was hopeful that the result would be different than the one we have right now if there was no rain yesterday. (Zahir) I think on the first day, the pitch Behavior was very different because it was so flat and the ball was coming so nicely to the bat. And at the same time, our Bowlers were also not too much consistent because they gave some easy boundary balls. So, I think our bowlers did well today, and they came back so strongly, the ways Zahir bowled, and the other spinners were really good. (Rahmat Shah) I think he was fantastic. He did really well. He had some good shots. A good partnership between me and him. That's what should we do. And the team requirement is also the same from us. Because, as a senior, you have to take responsibility. I think I give credit to Rahmat Shah. The way he played. He is the best on our team and hopefully, he will carry on the same way and do his best for the country in the future as well."

Craig Ervine: "I thought Ben Curran and Joylord obviously started really well. A lot of credit to Ben, the way he started his innings the intensity which he showed, I thought it really set the platform for us. (Partnership with Bennett) I think it was just to keep it nice and simple. Obviously, a lot of guys might think about going for the sweep and things like that. But I think it was just being nice and patient. There were definitely balls we could have scored runs off. So just being patient and keeping the good balls out, making sure that you put the bad ones away. (Flat pitch) Yeah, it was difficult (During bowling). A lot of credit goes to the bowlers because I thought they controlled the game really we, ll, didn't let the game go ahead too much otherwise we would have been facing much more damage today. So a lot of credit to the bowlers they kept the run rates down under 3.1-3.4. And also Blessing (Muzarabani) leading from the front. (Field Setup) Yeah, obviously there is a lot to learn in five days of cricket. So I will go back and dissect the game and see where we can improve. (Young bowlers) Both were very impressive (Gwandu and Nyamhuri). I thought Trevor had to put in another spell, something both of those guys were not used to huge workloads. A lot of credit to both of them, they hold up their end really well! Two days is not a long time (For Rest) when you play five days of cricket. But a lot of rest and hopefully we can replenish the energies for the next one (Next Test Match)."

5:12 pm From the batter's perspective, the match has been really exciting, but the bowlers haven't enjoyed it at all! In the late hours of the last day of the Test Match, Afghanistan offered some fire and nearly re-entered into the match. Following the rain break, they demolished Zimbabwe's top order, taking four wickets in 15 runs. Both veterans Ervine and Williams steadied Zimbabwe's innings, and there were few near misses and loud appeals rejected at the end of play. In the late hours, all three spinners bowled effectively and made the most of the situation. In the second game of the series, perhaps, the bowlers will have more to offer from the playing surface. Hopefully, the weather will continue to be favourable for the game. In the second test of the series, both important players Rashid Khan and Sikandar Raza are expected to make a comeback. They will undoubtedly have a significant impact on their respective sides. Post Match Presentation Ceremony coming up soon.

Shane: "Himanshu the match terminator!"

Here's Himanshu again to give you company. All right. Apologies, Himanshu. The first Test match ended when the captains chose to shake hands during the drinks break.

Sean Williams, from the stump mic, informing the wicket keeper that if there was another set of stumps it would still be missing those.