Zimbabwe dominate on rain-marred opening day

On a rain-marred opening day, Zimbabwe took the honors against Afghanistan in Bulawayo. Sikandar Raza (3-30), Newman Nyamhuri (3-42) and Blessing Muzarabani (2-56) were the major stars with the ball as Afghanistan folded for a paltry total of 157. In reply, Zimbabwe's opening pair of Ben Curran and Joylord Gumbie negotiated three overs before bad light forced slightly early stumps with Zimbabwe at 6/0. It capped a strong start to the game for the hosts who won a good toss earlier in the morning.

South Africa became the first side to qualify for the WTC finals after a tense two wicket win against Pakistan in Centurion. Three teams - Australia, India, and Sri Lanka - are in contention for the remaining spot to join South Africa at Lord's next June. Six Tests remain in the cycle with each of the three teams in fray to feature in four of those. Here's how the scenario looks like after Australia's 184-run win in the Boxing Day MCG Test.

Points table (as of Dec 26, 2024)

Team Mat Won Lost Draw Points PCT

SA 11 7 3 1 88 66.67

Aus 16 10 4 2 118 61.46

Ind 18 9 7 2 114 52.78

NZ 14 7 7 0 81 48.21

SL 11 5 6 0 60 45.45

Eng 22 11 10 1 114 43.18

Ban 12 4 8 0 45 31.25

Pak 11 4 7 0 40 30.30

WI 11 2 7 2 32 24.24

Australia

Australia have closed in to seal a chance to defend their title at Lord's with the win in the Boxing day Test at the MCG against India. A win at SCG next week will seal a spot for them irrespective of the two games in Sri Lanka as it will take them to a win percentage of 57, which is beyond the reach of both India and Sri Lanka.

If SCG Test ends in a stalemate, Australia will need at least a draw in Sri Lanka to qualify, as Sri Lanka get the better of Australia if they win 2-0 and get to 53.85. In case of India pulling one back at the SCG, Australia will need at least one win against Sri Lanka to surpass India's tally of 55.26.

India

From sitting on top of the charts at the end of the Tests against Bangladesh, India have been on a steady downward slide since and have dropped to third place with 52.78 with a Test in hand. They are now comfortably behind the top two who are both well placed above 60. The defeat at MCG means for the first time in this cycle, they are no more in control of their fortunes. The best they can do is to win at the SCG to reach 55.26, and hope Australia don't win any Test in Sri Lanka.

If the scoreline against Australia ends 2-2 and both the Tests between Australia and Sri Lanka end in draws, both India and Australia will be tied on 55.26 with India progressing by virtue of more series wins (three for India to Australia's two). But if Australia gains anything more than eight points in Sri Lanka (two draws gives eight points), then they will finish ahead of India's 55.26.

A defeat or a draw in the final Test Down Under will end India's hopes of a third consecutive final appearance.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka chances got severely dented after the series loss in South Africa and a result at SCG will end hopes for Sri Lanka irrespective of the scoreline of their series against Australia in February. The only way for Sri Lanka to finish in the top two is if they win both the matches against Australia and hope for the SCG Test to finish in a draw. Sri Lanka will then finish on 53.85 while Australia will end on 53.51 and India on 51.75.

Incessant rains and then wet outfield meant that the first session was entirely lost and Zimbabwe's captain Craig Ervine had no hesitation to bowl on winning the toss. After a slightly erratic start with the new ball, the Zimbabwe pacers got their radar right on a pitch that had life in it. Extra bounce was on offer and some seam movement as well, although not as extravagant as generally seen at this venue. Abdul Malik and debutant Riaz Hassan weathered the early storm but both fell in quick succession once Zimbabwe's new-ball pairing hit their straps.

It was, however, a run out that gave Zimbabwe the first breakthrough as Hassan fell to a direct hit from Brian Bennett. It was just the tonic the home side needed and Nyamhuri then got Malik caught behind to give Zimbabwe further momentum in the afternoon session. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi prevented further damage in the session but Zimbabwe continued to make inroads after tea. The impressive Nyamhuri broke the partnership between last game's heroes Rahmat and Shahidi but getting the skipper LBW. Raza then got into the act to castle Rahmat as Afghanistan continued to slip away.

Once Rahmat fell, it was a procession for the visitors as Raza and Muzarabani sliced through the lower order. If not for comeback man Rashid Khan's 20-ball 25, the total would have been much lesser. Even with the tricky nature of the pitch, the Afghanistan were easily about 50-60 runs short although the pitch cannot be judged till both sides bat on it.