AFG VS ZIM - 1st Test, Afghanistan v Zimbabwe in UAE, 2021

There's something about 2021 and away teams I tell you. India started it off, West Indies followed suite, England consolidated it further and now, Zimbabwe are making us realise that this maybe a pattern more than a coincidence. Always good to see the touring Test teams do well and this series is nicely set up going into the final Test. Zimbabwe will relish the lead for now but expect Afghanistan to be bounce back harder with Rashid's imminent return. Hope you enjoyed our coverage. On that note, this is Hari Sadanandan signing off on behalf of my mates Abhinand Raghavendran, Sagar Chawla and Harish. Cheers!

Sean Williams | Winning skipper and Player of the Match: It was a fantastic team performance. I was really happy with the my seam bowlers. Was a tough wicket to bat on but these are the challenges to expect in Test cricket, we've to take them head on. Senior players in our team came to the party and that's what I want. The younger guys will learn from that. The chat (with Raza) was to swing momentum our side. Unfortunately we couldn't get a big partnership, because that's the goals we have set. But yes, good to see the senior players step up.

Asghar Afghan | Losing skipper: I'd like to congratulate Zimbabwe, they played good cricket. We won a good toss but they bowled well and our batsmen also played some poor shots. Hamza bowled really well but he didn't get much support. We weren't able to prepare properly for this game due to visa issues, hopefully this break before the next game will help. Zadran played very well, hopefully others can learn from him and hope we can play good cricket in the next game.

As for Zimbabwe, no praise will be high enough. Losing the toss proved to be a blessing in disguise on a green-tinged deck that was exploited beautifully by their seamers on the first morning. Afghanistan could never recover from that damage and then, skipper Williams showed the way with a masterly ton under pressure. His stands with Raza and then Chakabva, ensured that Afghanistan never had a chance to sneak back into the game. A deficit of 119 was worth its weight in gold on this pitch, and Afghanistan's implosion to the new ball yet again meant that we were destined for a two-day finish. Lot of questions for them to ponder about. Missing Rashid Khan was an obvious dent but Zimbabwe were missing many more first-choice players, so that can't be an excuse.

16:39 Local Time, 12:39 GMT, 18:09 IST: Not many gave Zimbabwe a chance before this game, given that they were largely second-string in resources. Even though Afghanistan themselves are a very new Test side, Asghar Afghan's men were expected to dominate proceedings. However, apart from winning the toss, his team didn't get anything else. Being bowled for a sub-150 score in the first innings mostly seals your fate and once Zimbabwe got a healthy lead, Afghanistan always had their backs to the wall. That's no excuse though for their batting mishap. The pitch did offer movement for the quicks, and turn for the spinners, but they simply lacked application with the bat. Bar Zadran in the second innings, nobody really showed the stomach for the fight.

Ahmadzai to Kasuza, 1 run, Zimbabwe go 1-0 up! A straightish in-angler that's tucked behind square leg by Kasuza to give the finishing touches to a dominating victory

Ahmadzai to Kasuza, no run, errs in line and feeds this well down the leg-side, Kasuza misses the flick

Just a single needed now. Expect some wild celebrations from the Zimbabweans as soon as the winning run is scored.

Amir Hamza to Kasuza, leg byes, 1 run, sliding in around leg stump, Kasuza misses the flick and it goes off the pads past leg slip. They run the first one hard but that's all they'll get

Amir Hamza to Kasuza, no run, sliding in on middle, Kasuza hangs back and defends

Amir Hamza to Kasuza, 2 runs, an ungainly hoick, attempting the glory hit perhaps but hasn't middled it well. Off the inside half to deep mid-wicket. A couple more

Amir Hamza to Kasuza, no run, flatter and fuller outside off, Kasuza lunges to defend

Amir Hamza to Kasuza, FOUR, as in the previous Hamza over, Kasuza brings out the slog sweep to get himself out of trouble and it works again. Smacked behind square leg. Just one hit away now

Amir Hamza to Kasuza, no run, sliding in around off, blocked off the front foot

Ahmadzai to Masvaure, no run, overpitched and Masvaure drives firmly off the front foot, straight to mid-off

Ahmadzai to Masvaure, no run, faint inside edge and that saves Masvaure who lunges to push at this inswinger

Ahmadzai to Masvaure, no run, fuller and wider outside off, no shot offered

Ahmadzai to Masvaure, no run, fuller and angling into the pads, worked gently to mid-wicket

Ahmadzai to Masvaure, no run, slanting in on off, defended well from the crease

Ahmadzai to Masvaure, FOUR, inside edge and beats the wrong-footed Zazai to his right, towards the fine leg fence. Was full and curving in a bit, Masvaure drove loosely away from his body and was fortunate not to be caught