Rahmat Shah’s document 231* leads Afghanistan’s fightback after ZIM’s document complete
Afghanistan ended Day 3 of the primary Take a look at towards Zimbabwe at Queens Sports activities Membership in Bulawayo in a commanding place, reaching 425/2 on the shut of play. This was attributable to an outstanding, unbeaten 361-run partnership between Rahmat Shah, who stayed unbeaten at 231*, and Hashmatullah Shahidi, who scored 141*, as Afghanistan fought again from a major first-innings deficit.
Beginning the day at 95/2, Afghanistan had been seeking to recuperate from Zimbabwe’s commanding complete of 586 of their first innings. Rahmat Shah, who started the day on 58*, shortly reached his half-century, adopted by a strong 100-run mark, and continued to dominate Zimbabwe’s bowlers. He displayed wonderful method, dealing with 416 balls and putting 23 fours and three sixes. His marathon knock broke Afghanistan’s earlier highest Take a look at rating of 200* by Shahidi in 2021, making Rahmat’s 231* a brand new document for the nation.
Shahidi, on the different finish, was equally spectacular, slowly constructing his innings. He reached his half-century earlier than Rahmat accomplished his century, and the pair stored the scoreboard ticking. Shahidi’s affected person knock included 16 fours and showcased his capacity to occupy the crease for lengthy durations, retaining the Zimbabwe bowlers at bay. His 141* was his second Take a look at century, and along with Rahmat, the duo placed on a document 361-run partnership—the best for Afghanistan in Take a look at cricket, surpassing the earlier better of 307 runs between Shahidi and Asghar Afghan towards Zimbabwe in 2021.
A document partnership for Afghanistan
Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled to discover a breakthrough all through the day. Medium pacers Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Gwandu bowled properly in patches, however Afghanistan’s pair had been untroubled, and their bowlers had been let down by poor fielding. Rahmat survived a number of dropped catches, with at the least 4 possibilities missed off his bat, together with two straightforward ones in an over by Muzarabani. Regardless of the missed possibilities, Zimbabwe couldn’t capitalise, and the stress on their assault elevated as Rahmat and Shahidi continued to construct their partnership.
The day additionally marked a uncommon event in Take a look at cricket, with Zimbabwe failing to take a wicket throughout a complete day’s play for the primary time of their historical past. This was the primary such occasion since January 2019, when West Indies and England achieved the same feat.
Afghanistan’s progress meant they ended the day simply 161 runs behind Zimbabwe, with two full days of play nonetheless remaining. Rahmat, eyeing a possible triple century, and Shahidi, seeking to proceed his strong innings, will probably be key to Afghanistan’s fightback. Zimbabwe might want to discover a method to break the partnership if they’re to stay answerable for the sport.
