HARARE - Brad Evans created a Zimbabwe bowling record as the home team dominated the first day of a one-off Test against Afghanistan at Harare Sports Club on Monday.
The tourists lost the toss and crashed from 77-2 to 127 all out with Evans taking five wickets and fellow right-arm quick Blessing Muzarabani three.
A 97-run second-wicket partnership between unbeaten Ben Curran 52 and Nick Welch 49 then steered the hosts to 130-2 at stumps, a three-run lead with eight wickets in hand.
Back in the Zimbabwe Test team after a more than two-year absence due mainly to injuries, Evans took five of the last seven Afghan wickets while conceding just 22 runs off 57 deliveries.
Those 22 runs were the least conceded by a Zimbabwean in a Test when taking five wickets, bettering the late Heath Streak's 5-27 against the West Indies in Port of Spain 24 years ago.
"Heath was a Zimbabwe cricket legend so to better his figures makes my achievement all the more special," the 28-year-old told reporters.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz 37 and Abdul Malik 30 were the only Afghan batters to enjoy some success, putting on 65 runs for the second wicket before the collapse.