There were periods of resistance, some eye-catching shots and supporters cheering them on from the stands. But Zimbabwe could not prevent the inevitable or even reach the fourth day. England, inspired by six wickets from Shoaib Bashir, wrapped up this one-off Test by an innings and 45 runs.
Even factoring in lowly opposition who froze on day one and could only battle for respectability thereafter, nine wickets in the match added up to another chapter in Bashir’s remarkable rise. After all, he was plugging away on loan for Glamorgan at the start of the summer and had just two victims to show for it.
