(Reuters) -Brad Evans took five wickets on his return to the Zimbabwe team to skittle out Afghanistan for 127 runs and put the home side in a commanding position after the first day's play at the Harare Sports Club on Monday.
Zimbabwe, who won the toss and put the tourists into bat in the one-off test, were 130-2 in reply at the close of play with Ben Curran 52 not out and Brandon Taylor unbeaten on 18.
Nick Welch had been caught behind on 14 but Ismat Alam overstepped the mark and the batsman got a life as it was ruled a no-ball, going onto 49.
The 28-year-old Evans, playing a first test since his debut against the West Indies more than three years ago, took 5-22 in less than 10 overs as Afghanistan struggled with the bat as Blessing Muzarabani took 3-47.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scored with 37 for Afghanistan, playing their first test since beating Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in early January.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
