Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, 1st Test | ZIM vs AFG 1st Test Day 3 Highlights | Rahmat Shah Double Century

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, 1st Test: A Battle of Resilience at Queens Sports Club

Scorecard Summary

Zimbabwe 1st Innings: 586 (135.2 Overs)
Sean Williams 154, Craig Ervine 104, Brian Bennett 110*
Naveed Zadran 2/109, Zia-ur-Rehman 2/101

Afghanistan 1st Innings: 425/2 (125 Overs)
Rahmat Shah 231*, Hashmatullah Shahidi 141*
Blessing Muzarabani 1/46

Day 3 Stumps: Afghanistan trail by 161 runs

Queens Sports Club Witnesses a Test Cricket Classic

Bulawayo’s iconic Queens Sports Club set the stage for the 1st Test between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, where batting mastery and strategic resilience dominated the first three days. The cricketing nations locked horns in a tightly contested encounter, with Zimbabwe showcasing batting supremacy and Afghanistan responding with gritty determination.

Zimbabwe’s Dominance with the Bat

After winning the toss, Zimbabwe opted to bat on a flat surface, aiming to build a substantial total. Their innings was anchored by an exceptional performance from Sean Williams, who smashed a scintillating 154 runs off 174 balls. Williams, a stalwart in Zimbabwe's middle order, unleashed a flurry of boundaries and attacked the spinners to set the tone for the innings.

Ben Curran (68) and Craig Ervine (104) offered solid contributions, steering Zimbabwe to a commanding 586 in their first innings. The innings also saw a noteworthy unbeaten knock of 110 from Brian Bennett, who displayed remarkable composure and technique. Afghanistan's bowling attack, led by Naveed Zadran and Zahir Khan, struggled for breakthroughs on a track offering little assistance. Zadran and Zia-ur-Rehman claimed two wickets each but at considerable expense, underlining the dominance of Zimbabwe’s batters.

Afghanistan’s Gritty Reply

Facing a mammoth total, Afghanistan's openers started cautiously but faltered early as Sediqullah Atal fell for a duck in the second over. Abdul Malik (23) attempted to stabilize the innings but succumbed to Blessing Muzarabani’s fiery pace. At 64-2, Afghanistan found themselves under pressure, but the duo of Rahmat Shah and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi turned the tide.

Rahmat Shah, known for his unyielding temperament, carved a magnificent unbeaten 231, laced with 16 boundaries and two sixes. Partnering him was Shahidi, who scored a gritty 141 off 276 balls. The pair stitched together an unbroken stand of 361 runs, showcasing Afghanistan’s determination to stay in the contest. At stumps on Day 3, Afghanistan ended at 425/2, trailing by 161 runs with eight wickets in hand.

Tactical Decisions and Individual Brilliance

Zimbabwe’s bowlers toiled tirelessly on a pitch that flattened out as the day progressed. Blessing Muzarabani struck early but lacked support from his counterparts. Sean Williams, while economical, failed to break the Shah-Rahmat partnership. For Afghanistan, Rahmat Shah's disciplined innings highlighted his adaptability across conditions, while Shahidi's leadership added an extra layer of resilience.

The match also witnessed tactical nuances from both captains. Craig Ervine rotated his bowlers in search of breakthroughs but struggled to contain the free-flowing boundaries. Shahidi, on the other hand, exhibited astute decision-making by anchoring one end and setting up a platform for a possible first-innings lead.

The Road Ahead

With two days remaining, the match hangs in balance. Afghanistan will look to surpass Zimbabwe’s total and set the stage for an exciting fourth-innings chase. Zimbabwe, however, remains hopeful of early breakthroughs on Day 4 to regain momentum.