Twitter Reactions: Zimbabwe stun Afghanistan inside two days to script a 10-wicket win in Abu Dhabi

Zimbabwe’s return to Test cricket proved to be better than what some would have expected. Interestingly, much to the disappointment of true cricket fans, the Test match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi ended in two days. On day two, Zimbabwe’s bowling unit continued their dominance by bowling out Afghanistan twice in two days. 

The day started with Zimbabwe on 133 for 5, with a mere two-run lead. Captain Sean Williams, who was batting overnight after reaching his fifty, continued his innings and notched up his third Test century. His partnership with wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva of 75 runs for the seventh wicket, turned out to be a turning point in the match. Chakabva’s 44 from 71 balls had attacking strokes which put Afghanistan’s bowling on the back foot. 

Afghanistan struck early in the day, dismissing Ryan Burl, but the pair of Chakabva-Williams made sure Zimbabwe took a substantial lead in the first innings. After Chakabva got out, the skipper batted with the tail and helped his side reach 250. Williams was finally dismissed for 105. Amir Hamza ended with his career-best figures of 6 for 75, but a lead of 119 runs was always going to be critical. 

Seamers and captain Sean Williams help Zimbabwe down Afghanistan

Zimbabwe pacers were at it once again on day two. After getting eight wickets between them in the first innings, the trio of Blessing Muzarabani, Victor Nyauchi and Donald Tiripano managed eight more among each other on a pitch, which generally doesn’t provide a lot of assistance to the seamers. Afghanistan had a really bad start, losing half of their side for a score of 21 and were staring at an innings defeat. 

However, opener Ibrahim Zadran showed tremendous class, hanging in there for a long time, something which his teammates would want to do when they come out for the second test. At 81 for 7, Afghanistan had built their innings a little bit. A partnership between Ibrahim and Hamza helped Afghanistan to ensure that Zimbabwe would have to bat again. 

However, Zadran’s 76 could help Afghanistan reach only 135 runs, leaving Zimbabwe with 17 runs to register a historic win. The openers finished the chase in 20 balls, to script a 10-wicket win. The two teams will once again come against each other, when they play the second Test from March 10. 

Here’s how Twitter reacted: