1st Test: Rahmat Shah's Unstoppable 231 Fuels Afghanistan's Comeback Against Zimbabwe
Click to start listening
Bulawayo, Dec 28 (NationPress) Rahmat Shah from Afghanistan made a significant mark in the record books with an impressive unbeaten 231, the highest individual score in Afghanistan’s Test cricket history, during the third day of the first Test against Zimbabwe on Saturday. His remarkable innings, alongside Hashmatullah Shahidi’s 141 not out, led Afghanistan to an imposing total of 425/2 at stumps, now just 161 runs shy of Zimbabwe’s substantial first-innings score of 586.
Beginning the day in a precarious position at 95/2, Afghanistan took command at the Queens Sports Club with an unbroken partnership of 361 runs between Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi. This pair dismantled Zimbabwe’s six-man bowling attack, which faced a challenging day under the relentless Bulawayo sun without claiming a single wicket.
Rahmat Shah, who entered the field after opener Sediqullah Atal was dismissed in the second over, exhibited extraordinary composure and strength. After facing 416 balls, he hit 23 boundaries and three sixes, surpassing his previous highest Test score of 102 against Bangladesh in 2019.
Shah reached his century with a single off Brian Bennett, an inexperienced spinner. He celebrated his double century with a boundary, once again against Bennett, becoming only the second Afghan batter to achieve this milestone. Rahmat Shah outshone the previous record of 200 not out held by Shahidi against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi in 2021.
Hashmatullah Shahidi was an ideal partner for Shah, striking 16 fours in his 276-ball innings, marking his second Test century. His pull shot to fine leg off debutant Newman Nyamhuri brought up the milestone, showcasing his leadership and batting capabilities.
Zimbabwe, who began the match with a record 586-run first innings, struggled to maintain that level of dominance with the ball. Their inexperience and poor fielding contributed to their difficulties, allowing Afghanistan to seize every opportunity.
Zimbabwe’s missed opportunities and inconsistent bowling lines enabled Afghanistan to gradually reduce the deficit in their first-innings lead, keeping the visitors firmly in contention. This marks the 26th instance of a wicketless day in Test cricket history, the last occurring during the 2019 match between England and the West Indies, and the first of its kind in Zimbabwe.
The ongoing Test is the conclusion of a competitive series where Afghanistan has emerged victorious in both the T20 and ODI formats. Zimbabwe, aiming for their first Test win since defeating Afghanistan three years ago, now faces a significant challenge to regain control in this match.
Brief scores:
Day 3: Zimbabwe 586 lead Afghanistan 425/2 in 125 overs (Rahmat Shah 231 not out, Hashmatullah Shahidi 141 not out; Blessing Muzarabani 1-46, Trevor Gwandu 1-86) by 161 runs.
