Afghanistan bowled for 127 as Evans takes five

Brad Evans took five wickets as Afghanistan were bowled out for 127 and Zimbabwe closed the opening day of the oneoff Test at Harare Sports Club in a commanding position on Monday. Playing their first Test since January, Afghanistan collapsed under disciplined pace bowling from Evans and Blessing Muzarabani, leaving the hosts 130 for 2 at stumps, a slim first innings lead of three runs.

Evans, playing his first Test since debuting against the West Indies more than three years ago, finished with figures of 5 for 22 in under 10 overs. Muzarabani supported him with 3 for 47 as Afghanistan tumbled from 77 for 2 to 127 all out in 32.3 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz top scored for the tourists with 37 and Abdul Malik contributed 30, but their second wicket stand proved the only meaningful resistance before the collapse.

Zimbabwe, having won the toss and elected to field, made early inroads and then consolidated with the bat. Ben Curran, unbeaten on 52 at the close of day one, and Brandon Taylor, 18 not out, steadied the innings after opener Nick Welch was reprieved on 14 when a delivery was ruled a no ball. The hosts finished the day with eight wickets in hand and momentum firmly in their...