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Ben Curran scored 121 as Zimbabwe posted 359 against Afghanistan in Harare, leading by 232 runs. Ziaur Rahman took 7 wickets. Afghanistan ended Day 2 at 34/1.
Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan: Ben Curran scored his maiden Test century (X)
Opener Ben Curran scored his first Test century on Tuesday, putting Zimbabwe in control against Afghanistan after the second day of a one-off Test at Harare Sports Club.
The left-handed batter made 121 before being trapped leg before wicket, as the home team advanced from 130-2 overnight to 359 in reply to the tourists’ 127, gaining a first-innings lead of 232 runs.
Batting for the second time, Afghanistan were 34/1 at stumps against Zimbabwe, who are aiming for their first Test victory in Harare since beating Pakistan by 24 runs in 2013.
Zimbabwe Vs Afghanistan: Only Test, Day 2 – Highlights
Curran, the brother of England internationals Sam and Tom Curran and son of the late Zimbabwe star Kevin Curran, became the first member of the family to score centuries in both Test and one-day international cricket.
His innings ended just before tea when he was deceived by a slow, full-length delivery from quick bowler Ismat Alam, which struck his pads, leaving Zimbabwe at 302/6.
The 29-year-old faced 256 deliveries and struck 15 fours, balancing caution with aggression. Many of his runs came from drives and deflections.
Curran, whose previous highest Test score in 14 innings was 68, reached his century by stroking a single through mid-wicket off Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi.
Earlier, Curran shared a 99-run fifth-wicket partnership with Sikandar Raza, and on Monday, he and Nick Welch (49) put on 97 for the second wicket.
Raza contributed the second-highest score to the Zimbabwe total, making 65, including seven fours, before top-edging a Sharafuddin Ashraf delivery, which Yamin Ahmadzai caught at deep square leg.
Apart from Test debutant Ziaur Rahman, the Afghan bowlers struggled on an unresponsive pitch. The seamer took seven wickets at a cost of 97 runs.
Brief scores:
Afghanistan 127, 32.3 overs and 34-1, 12 overs (I. Zadran 25 not out) v Zimbabwe 359, 103 overs (B. Curran 121, S. Raza 65; Z. Rahman 7-97)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More
Harare, Zimbabwe
October 21, 2025, 21:23 IST
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