Bennett hails seamers as Zimbabwe and Afghanistan draw run-filled Test
SHARJAH – Zimbabwe captain Brian Bennett has praised seamers Newman Nyamhuri and Blessing Muzarabani for their efforts on a batting-friendly pitch, after the first Test against Afghanistan ended in a draw.
Only 25 wickets fell in five days as the two sides scored 1,541 runs between them.
“It was quite difficult to take 20 wickets out there, and it certainly made the job a bit tougher,” Bennett said.
Nyamhuri, 20, took his maiden Test five-wicket haul, five for 82 from 30.4 overs. Muzarabani bowled 35 overs for one for 93.
“Very impressed. I think not only Nyamhuri, but Blessing as well, on a wicket that did not offer too much for the seamers, kept running in day in and day out across Days 2, 3, and 4,” Bennett said. “I am very proud and very lucky to have those guys in our team.”
Player of the Match Brendan Taylor, who scored 131 and 82, credited the squad’s preparation for the conditions.
“We knew it was going to be tough. Obviously, the humidity saps your energy in the end. I think our training and preparation have been excellent,” Taylor said. “The coaching and technical staff put a lot of thought into it and were very meticulous in their planning, and there was a great buy-in from the group.”
He said his approach had been to back his attacking game.
“I suppose it was about trying to be brave, playing shots that I have been working hard on, seeing that come to fruition, and keeping the game moving as well. There is still plenty of work to do, and hopefully I can implement the exact same mindset and stroke play in the second Test as well.”
The match featured seven centuries:
Zimbabwe: Taylor (131), Bennett (128), Craig Ervine (206*) and Wessly Madhevere (100*)
Afghanistan: Rahmat Shah (173), debutant Rahmanullah (113) and Sediqullah Atal (105)
Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah, whose 173 helped his side to a 10-run first-innings lead, recalled an earlier innings against Zimbabwe.
“I think of the second Test in Bulawayo. That was a great moment for me against Zimbabwe when I scored 139, and we won that match,” he said.
The second Test, the final match of Zimbabwe’s month-long tour of the United Arab Emirates, runs from 13 to 17 November.
