NEW DELHI: Zimbabwe's experienced campaigner Sikandar Raza and young talent Newman Nyamhuri on Thursday claimed three wickets apiece, restricting Afghanistan to 157 runs on Day 1 of the second Test in Bulawayo.
Following a four-hour delay due to wet conditions at Queens Sports Club, Zimbabwe reached 6-0 at the close of play.
Skipper Craig Ervine's decision to field first after winning the toss proved advantageous, particularly after his bowlers struggled in the previous drawn Test, where they conceded 699 runs in the first innings.
The strategy proved successful as Raza (3-30) and Nyamhuri (3-42) delivered impressive performances, each securing crucial Afghan wickets.
"Given the conditions, I was convinced bowling first was the way to go. The wicket had been under covers for some time," said Ervine.
The previous Test had witnessed Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah scoring double centuries whilst establishing a national record partnership of 364 runs for the third wicket.
After Afghanistan lost openers Abdul Malik (17) and Test debutant Riaz Hassan (12) with the score at 29, Shah and Shahidi reunited at the crease.
However, unlike their previous performance, both batsmen struggled, with Shahidi scoring 13 and Shah managing 19.
Nyamhuri, the 18-year-old in his second Test, dismissed Shahidi leg before wicket after the captain had struck two boundaries in a 30-run partnership with Shah.
Raza then removed Shah, who missed the delivery that struck his leg stump.
Rashid Khan's quick 25 suggested a potential recovery before he was caught by Brian Bennett at deep point following a poor shot selection.
With Afghanistan struggling at 125-8, a final wicket partnership of 27 runs between Zia-ur-Rehman (8 not out) and Fareed Ahmad (17) helped improve their total.
Brief scores:
Afghanistan 157 in 44.3 overs (Rashid Khan 25, Rahmat Shah 19; Sikandar Raza 3-30, Newman Nyamhuri 3-42, Blessing Muzarabani 2-56) v Zimbabwe 6-0 in 3 overs
