In a one-off Test match, England defeated Zimbabwe by an innings and 45 runs, led by an impressive performance from bowler Shoaib Bashir, who took six wickets. Despite early resistance from Zimbabwe's batsmen, including a notable partnership between Sean Williams and Ben Curran, they were unable to reach even the fourth day. Bashir's career-best performance of 6 for 81 helped solidify England's victory. Questions were raised about the match's competitive value, but Bashir considered the experience crucial following a difficult season.
Operating from the Radcliffe Road End and with the breeze having switched direction from day two, England's stripling off-spinner got the ball to dip and drift to claim career-best figures of six for 81 from 18 overs.
Much has been made of the value of this Test, whether such a mismatch was even worthy of the name. But for Bashir, whose season began with a largely unsuccessful loan spell at Glamorgan, it could scarcely have been more valuable.
Zimbabwe enjoyed a lap of honour at the end and Bashir could have been forgiven for doing the same. It did not go England's way initially, Zimbabwe resuming on 30 for two.
Sean Williams was purring at one end perhaps looking to reclaim his country's record for the fastest Test century from Brian Bennett the previous day and with Ben Curran digging in at the other, a frustrating stand of 122 formed.
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