Zimbabwe Builds Commanding Lead in Test Against Afghanistan

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe tightened their grip on the one-off Test against Afghanistan on October 21, 2025, as Ben Curran‘s maiden Test century and Ziaur Rahman‘s record seven-wicket haul highlighted Day 2’s action.

After bundling Afghanistan out for 127 on Day 1, Zimbabwe resumed with a slim three-run lead. They posted a total of 359 in their first innings, leaving Afghanistan trailing by 198 runs at the close of Day 2 with a score of 34 for 1 in their second innings.

Curran anchored Zimbabwe’s innings with a gritty 121 off 256 balls, staying at the crease for more than seven hours. He found key support from Sikandar Raza, who added 65 runs, and the pair constructed a vital 99-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Rahman, making his Test debut for Afghanistan, achieved career-best figures of 7 for 97, becoming the first bowler since Imran Khan in 1982 to take seven or more wickets via bowled or lbw in a Test innings. His exceptional bowling kept Afghanistan buoyed amid Zimbabwe’s strong batting.

Opening batsmen Abdul Malik and Ibrahim Zadran started Afghanistan’s reply with resilience, but Malik fell early to Richard Ngarava‘s short ball, caught at deep square leg. Zadran remained unbeaten at 25 alongside Rahmanullah Gurbaz at stumps.

Ziaur’s impressive bowling and Curran’s steadfast batting underline Zimbabwe’s commanding position as they head into Day 3, poised for a potential innings victory.