Day 1, Second Test: Afghanistan 157 (44.3) vs Zimbabwe 6/0 (3)

BULAWAYO- Veteran Sikandar Raza and teenager Newman Nyamhuri took three wickets every as Zimbabwe bowled out Afghanistan for 157 on Thursday on the primary day of the second Test in Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe was 6-0 in reply at stumps after the beginning of play was delayed 4 hours as a result of a moist outfield at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Captain Craig Ervine received the toss and opted to bowl, believing the circumstances would favour his assault, which took a pounding within the drawn first Test, conceding 699 first-innings runs.

His gamble paid off as off-spinner Raza (3-30) and fast Nyamhuri (3-42) starred with every taking a prized Afghanistan wicket.

“Given the conditions, I was convinced bowling first was the way to go. The wicket had been under covers for some time,” mentioned Ervine.

Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah had scored double centuries within the first Test as they placed on a nationwide document 364 runs for the third wicket.

After the dismissals of openers Abdul Malik (17) and Test debutant Riaz Hassan (12) with 29 runs on the scoreboard, Shah and Shahidi got here collectively once more.

But there was to be no repeat of the run fest of final week, with Shahidi managing simply 13 runs and Shah 19.

Shahidi was first to fall, trapped leg earlier than by Nyamhuri, an 18-year-old making solely his second Test look. The skipper hit two fours when placing on 30 with Shah.

Shah was the following sufferer as he failed to attach with a Raza supply and his leg stump flew.

Lower-order batsman Rashid Khan threatened a restoration with a speedy 25. He then struck a poorly positioned shot caught by Brian Bennett at deep level.

His departure left the vacationers reeling at 125-8, however a 27-run last-wicket stand between Zia-ur-Rehman (8 not out) and Fareed Ahmad (17) helped raise the whole.