Afghanistan v Zimbabwe

[Aidan11]

Began today. A test match on UK tv so it may be of interest to some.

Afghanistan have struggled so far 114/7. Some good bowling from Zimbabwe.

[Sir Coolerking]

Originally Posted by Aidan11

Began today. A test match on UK tv so it may be of interest to some.

Afghanistan have struggled so far 114/7. Some good bowling from Zimbabwe.

The 3rd time in history that there's been a wicket off the first ball of an inaugural Test. That falling to Blessing Muzarabani who is very very tall!!

[Aidan11]

Originally Posted by Sir Coolerking

The 3rd time in history that there's been a wicket off the first ball of an inaugural Test. That falling to Blessing Muzarabani who is very very tall!!

I've been impressed with his bowling this morning. Didn't realise he had a spell at Northants.

[Chin Music]

Zim 46-4. Not exactly a batsman's game this.

[Aidan11]

Originally Posted by Chin Music

Zim 46-4. Not exactly a batsman's game this.

That last LBW looked like it would miss the stumps. No reviews in this match though.

[Aidan11]

Very good session for Zimbabwe. 104 runs scored for the loss of 3 wickets this morning. Sean Williams still there 97*.

Zimbabwe currently lead by 106 runs so it's going to take some effort for Afghanistan to get back into this.

[Sir Coolerking]

50 overs to go today and the Afghans are 6-2 still over 100 behind.

Surely not another 2 Day Test...

[Ali TT]

Originally Posted by Sir Coolerking

50 overs to go today and the Afghans are 6-2 still over 100 behind.

Surely not another 2 Day Test...

Looks like it.

Afghanistan appear to be missing some of their bigger names - are they all playing PSL?

[Sir Coolerking]

Originally Posted by Ali TT

Looks like it.

Afghanistan appear to be missing some of their bigger names - are they all playing PSL?

Rashid is injured whilst I'm watching Nabi bowl now in the PSL (Mujeeb is also in PSL).

However, Zim also without the likes of Ervine and Taylor and haven't played a Test for 3 years. I'm surprised Zim are handing out the thrashing they are.

[sweatysock]

I think generally the Afghans havent played enough of this format to get any good at it - doesnt help to be missing the likes of Nabi & Rashid, Mind you

[Aidan11]

I thought Afghanistan might have held on to take it into a 3rd day but not to be. Big win for Zimbabwe.

[MRNC4.0]

Williams could have been a serious cricketer if afforded the opportunities. Same could be said of Kyle Javis, Ervine & Musakanda. Some world class Zimbabwean cricketers have came and passed over the last decade that will never get their time. Sad.

[tony p]

Has Brendan Taylor retired.

[MRNC4.0]

Originally Posted by tony p

Has Brendan Taylor retired.

No, not sure why he isn't playing. Maybe franchise commitments?

[Rebelstar]

Originally Posted by sweatysock

I think generally the Afghans havent played enough of this format to get any good at it - doesnt help to be missing the likes of Nabi & Rashid, Mind you

are Ireland even trying to play Test matches or seeing the £££ in the shorter format...?

fair play to Afghans, giving it a go.

Afghanistan P5 W2 D0 L3
Ireland P3 W0 D0 L3

Zimbabwe lost three and only drew two of their first five Tests, home draws against India and New Zealand. That inaugaral Test against India might have gone Zimbab-way had it gone on long enough, ZIM 456 and 146/4 vs IND 307

Were also 197/1 chasing a target of 329 by New Zealand but suspect there must have been a bit of rain given kiwis declared 325/3d and 222/5d so token target


Bangladesh lost all five of their opening five Tests, two of those to Zimbabwe. Lost four of their last five as well, not much changes except they did win one against Zimbabwe......



about time they tiered Tests, get some other countries in at lower tiers and generate a little interest. Sure it may not draw big crowds, but a proper championship with promotion, relegation, finals and/or play-offs and maybe more and more will take note.

T20 is great for fans worldwide to watch, but watching some India team or some Pakistani team or some Aussie team, or some..... isn't quite the same as following your own team. Won't ever hold the appeal of football, but why do fans watch eg Torquay, S****horpe, Southend, Mansfield, Accrington Stanley etc? Not for the European Cups they'll win or Premier League titles, sure many locals will latch on to Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City or whoever, but many prefer local and maybe national pride is a concept to most in this country, to other countries it may be a bit more to most.

give them a chance of winning, promotion etc and it's more entertaining than what say Afghan fans get to look forward to - not a blinking lot. Yet still they get behind their team.....

[Aidan11]

Decent first session for Afghanistan at the start of the second test. 83/2.

[Sir Coolerking]

Make that 307-3 at the close, cracking day for Afghanistan and notably their centurion, the appropriately named Asghar Afghan!!

[Aidan11]

81 runs added without losing any wickets this session. This pair doing very well with a 267 run unbeaten stand so far.

[blackeyedangles]

Originally Posted by Sir Coolerking

Make that 307-3 at the close, cracking day for Afghanistan and notably their centurion, the appropriately named Asghar Afghan!!

I believe he changed his last name from Stanikzai a few years ago. You may remember him from the 2015 World Cup where he batted 3 IIRC.

[offa59]

Adverts between every over becomes quite hard work when it's spin at both ends.