Afghanistan finished Day 3 of the first Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo in a strong position, reaching 425/2 at stumps. This was thanks to an excellent, unbeaten 361-run partnership between Rahmat Shah, who was not out on 231*, and Hashmatullah Shahidi, who made 141*, as Afghanistan fought back from a large first-innings deficit.
Starting the day at 95/2, Afghanistan aimed to recover from Zimbabwe’s commanding total of 586 in their first innings. Rahmat Shah, who began the day on 58*, quickly moved past his half-century, reached three figures, and continued to dominate Zimbabwe’s bowlers.
He showed excellent technique, facing 416 balls and hitting 23 fours and three sixes. His marathon innings set a new record for Afghanistan’s highest Test score, surpassing Shahidi’s 200* from 2021.
Shahidi, at the other end, was equally impressive, steadily building his innings. He brought up his half-century just before Rahmat reached his century, and the pair kept the scoreboard moving. Shahidi’s patient knock featured 16 fours and demonstrated his ability to bat for long periods, frustrating the Zimbabwe bowlers.
His 141* was his second Test century, and alongside Rahmat, the pair set a record 361-run partnership—the highest for Afghanistan in Test cricket, surpassing the previous record of 307 runs between Shahidi and Asghar Afghan against Zimbabwe in 2021.
Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi shine in Bulawayo’s record run
Rahmat Shah’s 231* against Zimbabwe is the highest individual score by an Afghanistan batter in a Test innings. It is only the second double century for Afghanistan in Tests, following Hashmatullah Shahidi’s 200* against the same team in Abu Dhabi in 2021.
The unbeaten 361-run partnership between Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi is Afghanistan’s highest for any wicket in Tests, surpassing their previous record of 307. It is also the second-highest stand against Zimbabwe, after the 438-run partnership between Atapattu and Sangakkara in 2004.
It was the 26th wicketless day in Test cricket, the first in Zimbabwe. Rahmat Shah (231*) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (141*) became the first pair since 2018 to remain unbeaten all day. On Day 3 of Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, 330 runs were scored without losing a wicket. Zimbabwe’s 586 is their highest Test total and the highest against Afghanistan.
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