Afghanistan 425 for two (Rahmat 231*, Shahidi 141*) path Zimbabwe 586 by 161 runs
The Zimbabwe bowlers have been made to grind by the robust defensive sport confirmed by Rahmat and Shahidi, however they have been additionally let down by their fielding. There have been atleast 4 catches dropped, all off Rahmat, together with a couple of half-chances. Each spin and tempo proved ineffective to get a breakthrough, and the set batters pounced on the free deliveries from the inexperienced bowlers, an everyday incidence via the day.
Beginning the day afresh from an in a single day partnership of 31 and gazing a mammoth 491-run deficit, Rahmat took a single within the first over of the day to carry up his fifty. However some disciplined bowling from Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Gwandu stored the run-scoring in verify. It took 12 overs for the day’s first boundary when Rahmat picked up one, by chopping left-arm spinner Sean Williams for 4, and it might be a ploy he would use in opposition to all three Zimbabwe spinners. With no variable flip off the pitch, the pair may additionally belief their sport when coming down the observe in opposition to the spinners, one thing Shahidi did typically in opposition to the part-timers Brandon Mavuta and Brian Bennett. 5 overs earlier than lunch, Shahidi introduced up his half-century, and two overs later, Rahmat had accomplished his second Take a look at ton.
Then got here the primary large probability within the 69th over with Afghanistan at 198 for two and Rahmat on 107. Bennett bought a size ball to show lesser than anticipated, Rahmat’s prod introduced an out of doors edge, and the ball flew previous Craig Ervine’s left at first slip. On 134, Rahmat survived a dropped probability at long-on, and on 152, escaped two catching alternatives in a single Muzarabani over. In between, the pair introduced up their 200 stand by discovering the fence via midwicket or cowl when Muzarabani and Gwandu overpitched their deliveries. And going into tea, Afghanistan have been 298 for two, with 203 runs collected within the first two classes.
Recent off the 2 dropped probabilities within the penultimate over of the second session, Zimbabwe have been additional deflated initially of the post-tea session when Rahmat struck three fours off Nyamhuri within the first over after resumption. In the identical Nyamhuri spell, Shahidi minimize him for 4 to maneuver to 99 and subsequent ball, picked up a single to say his second Take a look at ton.
Because the second new ball additionally turned outdated, the boundaries dried up once more, however a 4 via cowl from Rahmat to start out the 108th over introduced up the 300-run stand. When Rahmat moved to 199 with a single quickly after, the partnership ticked over to 308, a brand new file for Afghanistan.
Shahidi, the one double-centurion for Afghanistan beforehand, then watched on from the opposite finish as Rahmat joined him on that listing, and it got here not within the type of a circumspect single however a full-blooded drive via mid-on. Because the ball trickled to the boundary, Rahmat was applauded by his team-mates and by the sparse dwelling crowd as he additionally went previous Shahidi’s rating of 200* from 2021 to say the Afghanistan file for the best particular person rating.
As the ultimate hour of the day started, and it dawned on Zimbabwe that they could have their first-ever day of Take a look at cricket with out a single wicket, Ervine tempted the 2 batters with some uncommon fielding positions – maybe to purchase a wicket or pressure them to do one thing totally different – however there was no budging.
If something, Rahmat and Shahidi reined of their strokes. Solely three boundaries have been scored within the remaining 13 overs – solely three fours and one six – because it was clear their purpose was to complete the day unbeaten. As Williams bowled the ultimate over of the day with out a lot drama, Rahmat and Shahidi walked again with smiles, have been congratulated by a couple of Zimbabwe fielders, and have been welcomed with a standing ovation by their team-mates and help employees.
Sreshth Shah is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo. @sreshthx
