Twitter Reactions: Sean Williams' 145* allows Zimbabwe to gain upper hand in one-off Test against Afghanistan

Opting to bat first, Zimbabwe got off to a brisk start with the bat. Although wicketkeeper-batter, Joylord Gumbie, got out at nine in the 10th over, Takudzwanashe Kaitano joined Ben Curran in the middle to stabilize proceedings.

The two batters were quite proactive in the middle. The first maiden of the game was bowled by Azmatullah Omarzai, in the 20th over of the day. However, the very next over was creamed by Ben Curran. However, an AM Ghazanfar delivery slid through the bat-pad gap to crash into the stumps. 

Sean Williams got going right from the get-go. The first two deliveries were dispatched for a boundary and a three, respectively. Kaitano was just four runs from attaining his second consecutive half-century before he was dismissed. 

Williams brought up his fourth Test half-century in the 50th over of the innings. Along with skipper, Craig Ervine, Williams forged a substantial fifth-wicket partnership. A paddle-sweep for a couple off a low full-toss brought about a splendid century for Williams. The hosts ended the day on 363/4. Afghanistan, understandably, have a lot of catching up to do.  

Check out how X reacted to Day 1 of the first Test between AFG and ZIM:

📢 Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan 📢

Day 1: Stumps - Zimbabwe - 363/4 after 85 overs

Sean Williams - 145* (161)
Ben Curran - 68 (74)
Craig Ervine - 56* (94)

AM Ghazanfar - 83/2
Naveed Zadran - 64/1
Zahir Khan - 88/1#ZIMvsAFG #ZIMvAFG #AFGvZIM #AFGvsZIM #BoxingDayTest #BoxingDay… pic.twitter.com/wW6zGg0RiR

— Sporcaster (@Sporcaster) December 26, 2024

What a moment to witness! A magical performance by @sean14williams to get to his 5th Test Hundred on his Home ground! @kwirirayi@dean_plessis @AdamTheofilatos #ZIMvsAFG pic.twitter.com/wPpDIOxE4w

— Master Eli (@TheMasterEli) December 26, 2024

Afganistan have made a huge name in limited overs and are capable of beating g anybody but test cricket you can clearly see lack of game they need to play more test cricket regularly and show intrest to red ball as well#ZIMvsAFG

— 🆁🅾🅻🅴🆇ᶜʳⁱᶜᵏᵉᵗᵍᵉᵉᵏ (@RoshanSriram123) December 26, 2024

Fifth Test century for Sean Williams 🙌#ZIMvsAFG #VisitZimbabwe 📝 https://t.co/YYrEcl5Z03 pic.twitter.com/DzzKkSARQ6

— Shacky (@shacky_kudah) December 26, 2024

Great knock by legend 🇿🇼❣️@sean14williams 👏👏#ZimvsAfg https://t.co/OA0qU4qAUg

— Kiran Patil 🇮🇳 (@KiranM_speaks) December 26, 2024

Good partnerships today. Hats off @ZimCricketv . We like supporting a good team.#ZIMvsAFG pic.twitter.com/tagsot5K6T

— Gildredge (@gillmbaku_zw) December 26, 2024

I’d like to see Sean Williams’ reverse sweeps. The best reverse sweeper in the world 🙌🏾 #ZIMvsAFG

— M-Jay (@M_Jay94) December 26, 2024

Two debutants from different teams scored half-centuries on boxing day test. Sam Konstas of Australia scored 60(65) against India, while Ben Curran of Zimbabwe scored 68(74) against Afghanistan.

Has this ever happened before? #INDvsAUS #ZIMvsAFG #SAvsPAK pic.twitter.com/kpezSN5xnq

— Shacky (@shacky_kudah) December 26, 2024

Sam & Tom Curran's brother - Ben Curran scores a fifty on Test debut for Zimbabwe. 👏#ZIMvsAFG #AFGvsZIMpic.twitter.com/ZMaGUZOZ7v

— chanchal sarkar (@cricxnews140982) December 26, 2024