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NEW DELHI: Rahmat Shah hit an impressive 139 on Saturday in Bulawayo to significantly boost Afghanistan’s chances of securing victory in the decisive second Test against Zimbabwe.
Shah’s performance provided a glimmer of hope for Afghanistan as rain forced early stumps on the third day.
Shah combined with debutant Ismat Alam, who scored an unbeaten 64, for a crucial seventh-wicket partnership of 132 runs.
At the end of day two, Afghanistan found themselves in a precarious position at 46 for 3. They trailed Zimbabwe by 40 runs and had lost their captain and star batter, Hashmatullah Shahidi, for 13 runs.
The onus of rescuing the innings fell upon Shah, who had scored a double century in the drawn first Test. He proved up to the challenge, guiding Afghanistan to 291 for 7 by the close of play, giving them a substantial lead of 205 runs.
Shah’s patient innings spanned 275 balls and 401 minutes. He arrived at the crease with Afghanistan struggling at 18 for 2 and displayed remarkable resilience, offering few opportunities to the Zimbabwean bowlers. His innings included 14 fours.
Shah’s time at the crease ended shortly before the rain intervened. Blessing Muzarabani, Zimbabwe’s most successful bowler, delivered a good length ball that trapped Shah leg before wicket.
Debutant Ismat Alam mirrored Shah’s cautious approach, remaining unbeaten on 64. He hit four fours off 122 balls, redeeming himself after being dismissed for a duck in the first innings.
Other Afghan batters who lost their wickets on day three included Zia-ur-Rehman (6), Afsar Zazai (5), and Shahidullah Kamal (22). Both teams are vying for their first Test victory since their respective wins against each other in 2021.
Zia-ur-Rehman was caught by Brian Bennett at short fine leg. Afsar Zazai fell to a brilliant catch by Dion Myers at backward point. Shahidullah Kamal edged a delivery to Takudzwanashe Kaitano at silly point.
Blessing was the pick of the Zimbabwean bowlers, taking 4 wickets for 71 runs. Richard Ngarava provided valuable support with figures of 2-47. The pitch, which initially favored the bowlers, had become more batter-friendly as the match progressed.
Brief scores
Afghanistan 157 in 44.3 overs (Rashid Khan 25; Sikandar Raza 3-30, Newman Nyamhuri 3-42) and 291-7 in 91 overs (Rahmat Shah 139, Ismat Alam 64 not out; Blessing Muzarabani 4-71, Richard Ngarava 2-47) v Zimbabwe 243 in 73.3 overs (Craig Ervine 75, Sikandar Raza 61, Sean Williams 49; Rashid Khan 4-94, Yamin Ahmadzai 3-62). Rain stopped play
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