Zimbabwe were set a massive target of 537 runs in their second innings and resumed on Tuesday morning on 32/1. But fast bowler Corbin Bosch struck with the very first ball of the day, dismissing Nick Welch for a first-ball duck, caught by Tony de Zorzi.

First-innings centurion Sean Williams was next to go, caught behind by Kyle Verreynne for 26, giving Bosch his third wicket with the score on 64.

Captain Craig Ervine showed some resistance with the bat, scoring 49 before he too was caught by De Zorzi off the bowling of Bosch.

Corbin Bosch. Photo: Zimbabwe Cricket

Wellington Masakadza notched up a career-best 57 off 92 deliveries, while Blessing Muzarabani added a quickfire 32 off 29 balls toward the end of the innings.

Bosch finished with impressive figures of 5/43 in 12 overs, claiming his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket as Zimbabwe were bowled out for just 208.

Codi Yusuf, who took 3/42 in the first innings, bettered that with 3/22 in the second, while captain Keshav Maharaj and Dewald Brevis each chipped in with a wicket.

Wellington Masakadza and Craig Wellington. Photo: Zimbabwe Cricket

Maharaj praised the character of his team after the win, especially considering the youthful side fielded in the wake of their recent World Test Championship triumph.

“Obviously, very good to get over the line – to see the character was very heart-warming,” he said.

“The display with the ball was very encouraging. There was no pressure – we know the talent within our system. It was just about getting them in the right frame of mind to execute, and they showed that throughout the four days.”

Lhuan-dré Pretorius. Photo: Zimbabwe Cricket

For his 157 in the first innings on debut, Lhuan-dré Pretorius was named Player of the Match. Maharaj, who also became the first South African spinner to claim 200 Test wickets, said the teenage batter is certainly a bright prospect.

“I've had my eye on Lhuan-dré since the SA20, and he hasn’t looked back in any format,” Maharaj said.

“He’s a mature young lad – to see how he goes about his business in pressure situations was very heart-warming. And then there’s Dewald Brevis – not many youngsters come into our system and express themselves the way he does.”

The second Test at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo starts on Sunday.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg