Harare, Oct 23: Richard Ngarava produced a spell to remember as Zimbabwe crushed Afghanistan by an innings and 73 runs at the Harare Sports Club to seal their first home Test victory since 2013 and their biggest-ever Test win.On a decisive third day that lasted less than three hours, Ngarava’s relentless accuracy under overcast skies earned him his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests and helped script an innings triumph — Zimbabwe’s first since 2001.
Captain Craig Ervine handed the new ball to Tanaka Chivanga instead of Blessing Muzarabani, a move that paid off immediately. In his third over, Chivanga had Rahmanullah Gurbaz (9) flicking down the leg side, with wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga completing a sharp catch.
Three overs later, Ngarava struck similarly, removing Ibrahim Zadran for 42, as Tsiga claimed his second dismissal of the morning.
Hashmatullah Shahidi’s (7) brief stay ended when he edged a full delivery from Ngarava to Ervine at slip.
Bahir Shah (32) and Afsar Zazai (18) attempted to steady the innings — Bahir struck six boundaries — but Muzarabani cramped him for room with a short ball that ballooned to Ben Curran at short-leg. Zazai followed soon after, mistiming a drive to backward point, leaving Afghanistan reeling at 127 for 6 by lunch.
Post-lunch, the sun briefly appeared, but Afghanistan’s hopes dimmed further. Chivanga thought he had Ismat Alam caught, but it turned out to be a no-ball; but Ngarava made amends soon after.