Brad Evans made history in Zimbabwean cricket with a stunning bowling performance in the opening day of a one-off Test against Afghanistan at Harare Sports Club. With figures of 5 for 22, he not only marked a personal milestone with his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests but also set a new record for Zimbabwe. His achievement surpassed the legendary Heath Streak’s previous best of 5 for 27, established against the West Indies 24 years ago.
After losing the toss, Afghanistan struggled significantly, collapsing from a promising position of 77 for 2 to 127 all out, largely due to Evans’s exceptional bowling. He managed to take five wickets while conceding just 22 runs off 57 deliveries, demonstrating remarkable control and precision. Fellow fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani also contributed to Afghanistan’s downfall, claiming three wickets for 47 runs.
On the batting front, Zimbabwe responded positively, ending the day at 130 for 2 and leading by three runs. Ben Curran (52 not out) and Nick Welch (49) forged a resilient second-wicket partnership of 97 runs, ensuring a solid foundation for the hosts. They faced an Afghan attack where debutant Ziaur Rahman stood out with figures of 2 for 35.
Evans expressed his delight at breaking Streak’s record, acknowledging the weight of such an honor given Streak’s stature in Zimbabwean cricket. “Heath was a legend, so to better his figures makes my achievement all the more special,” Evans noted in a post-match interview.
As Zimbabwe seeks to improve its Test record, which includes just one win in its last eight matches, the team’s strong start in this fixture provides a glimmer of hope. Following this Test, the two teams are scheduled to meet again in three Twenty20 internationals starting October 29, 2025.
With this encouraging start, Zimbabwe aims to harness their momentum to secure a victory and build on this promising foundation for future contests.