Sports · Cricket · 57 mins ago
Zimbabwe reach 250 for 5 on day one of second Test against Afghanistan
Zimbabwe reached 250 for 5 on day one of the second Test against Afghanistan in Sharjah.
The teams are playing the second and final Test of the series after their first match ended in a draw.
Zimbabwe chose to bat and built a strong start, with Innocent Kaia and Ben Curran putting on 98 runs for the first wicket.
Kaia made 96 before debutant Naseer Maroofkhil dismissed him and then took two more wickets in a sudden Afghanistan fightback.
Maroofkhil took four wickets as Zimbabwe slipped from 200 for 1 to 212 for 4.
Brendan Taylor was unbeaten on 96 at stumps, leaving Zimbabwe well placed but the match still open.
The winner will clinch the series, and play is due to resume on Saturday, November 14, at 6 am GMT.
Zimbabwe ended the first day of the second Test against Afghanistan at 250 for 5.
The match is being played at Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium in Sharjah.
Zimbabwe chose to bat after winning the toss.
Innocent Kaia scored 96, while debutant Naseer Maroofkhil took all four wickets to fall in the final session.
The first Test ended in a draw, so the winner of this match will clinch the series.
- Who
- Zimbabwe and Afghanistan.
- What
- Zimbabwe reached 250 for 5 on the first day of the second Test.
- When
- November 13, 2026.
- Where
- Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium, Sharjah.
- Why
- The teams are playing the second and final Test of the series; the winner will clinch it.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat.
Zimbabwe scored 98 runs without losing a wicket.
Ben Curran was dismissed for 44, ending a 98-run opening stand.
Naseer Maroofkhil took four wickets as Zimbabwe lost four wickets for 63 runs.
Zimbabwe were 250 for 5 after 81.6 overs.
- Day-one score
- Zimbabwe 250 for 5
- Venue
- Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium, Sharjah
- Opening stand
- 98 runs
- Top score
- Innocent Kaia, 96
- Best bowling
- Naseer Maroofkhil, 4 wickets for 118 runs