Sean Williams’ Heroics Propel Zimbabwe to Commanding Position Against Afghanistan

Sean Williams showcased his class and experience in front of a supportive crowd at the Queens Sports Club, notching up his fifth Test century to power Zimbabwe to a dominant 363 for 4 on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test against Afghanistan. Williams remained unbeaten on 145, steering his team to a position of strength.

The day belonged to Williams, who demonstrated impeccable control and confidence against Afghanistan’s bowling attack, which sorely missed Rashid Khan. His 90% control percentage on a pitch offering significant turn highlighted his mastery, as he confidently countered both spin and pace. Walking in with Zimbabwe at 92 for 2, Williams quickly found his rhythm, relying on his footwork to nullify the Afghan bowlers. While known for his sweeping prowess, he instead relied on cuts, drives, and pulls, mixing aggression with calculated stroke play.

Williams reached his half-century off 58 balls and brought up his century off just 115 deliveries, a knock adorned with boundaries through the off side and towering sixes over long-on and long-off. His approach kept Afghanistan’s bowlers on the back foot, and his partnership with captain Craig Ervine (56*) for an unbeaten 143-run stand further solidified Zimbabwe’s dominance.

Williams had support from the top order, particularly debutant Ben Curran, who impressed with a brisk 68 off 74 balls. Curran struck 11 boundaries and set the tone for Zimbabwe’s innings, sharing stands of 43 and 49 with Joylord Gumbie (9) and Takudzwanashe Kaitano (46), respectively. However, Curran’s promising knock ended just before lunch when teenage debutant AM Ghazanfar deceived him with a wrong’un to knock back his stumps.

Kaitano and Dion Myers (27) chipped in with useful contributions, helping Zimbabwe consolidate during the second session. Kaitano’s 78-run stand with Williams and Myers’ 50-run partnership for the fourth wicket ensured the hosts built a solid platform. Ghazanfar provided Afghanistan their only breakthroughs, dismissing Myers with a sharp caught-and-bowled effort for his second wicket.

Craig Ervine, batting at No. 6, complemented Williams with a measured, leg-side-dominant innings. His chanceless half-century, the sixth of his career, added to Zimbabwe’s commanding position. Ervine’s steady approach perfectly balanced Williams’ free-scoring style, frustrating Afghanistan’s bowlers as the day wore on.

Williams had a brief moment of fortune when he was caught off a no-ball from Zahir Khan while on 124, but it didn’t deter his momentum. Zimbabwe’s strong showing was capped off with a brisk run rate of 4.27, and bad light called an early end to a day dominated by the hosts.

With an unbeaten 143-run stand between Williams and Ervine, Zimbabwe heads into Day 2 with a firm grip on the game and a chance to pile on a massive first-innings score.