It was a momentous day yesterday at Harare Sports Club as Ben Curran notched his maiden Test century, putting the Chevrons firmly on the front foot against Afghanistan in their one-off match. Curran’s composed and skilful knock – 121 runs scored before he was trapped lbw – provided the backbone for a commanding first-innings lead.
Zimbabwe had earlier bowled out Afghanistan for just 127, setting up the platform for a flourishing batting display. The 29-year-old Curran consolidated after the overnight score of 130-2 and continued to dominate the bowlers, driving the hosts to 359 all out and a lead of 232.
At the heart of Zimbabwe’s resurgence, Curran blended patience and aggression skilfully under pressure, steering partnerships and punishing loose deliveries. His 99-run stand with Sikandar Raza highlighted that resurgence of intent in the batting line-up.
This century is more than a personal milestone: it offers Zimbabwe a tangible statement of intent in the Test format. After struggling to assert themselves in recent matches, the Chevrons now hold all the hand in the matchup, and with spirits lifted and momentum building, they look poised to turn belief into performance. The crowd roared their approval – and Zimbabwe cricket may have found its beacon once again.
