In a historic performance, Afghanistan’s Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi set a new record for their highest Test partnership with 361 runs. As of Day 3, Afghanistan is poised at 425 without loss in response to Zimbabwe’s record total of 586. This match highlights Afghanistan’s growing prominence in Test cricket and their continuing rivalry with Zimbabwe.
In a historic display of batting excellence, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi of Afghanistan shattered previous records during their Test match against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. As Afghanistan’s highest-ever Test partnership reached an impressive 361 runs for the third wicket, the duo achieved a momentous feat by successfully batting through an entire day’s play without losing their wicket. This remarkable achievement places them among only eight pairs to accomplish this feat in the 21st century.
Zimbabwe, having set a national record with a score of 586, saw Afghanistan responding vigorously with their own total of 425 as Day 3 concluded. Shah’s milestone score of 231 not out stands as the highest in Afghanistan’s six-year Test history, while Shahidi’s 141 not out adds to their team’s considerable offensive display. This partnership currently ranks as the second-highest for third-wicket stands on Zimbabwean soil, trailing only behind the legendary pairing of Marvan Atapattu and Kumar Sangakkara.
This match marks only the second instance of a partnership exceeding 150 runs for Afghanistan, placing them in the top tier of highest third-wicket partnerships in Test cricket history. With the potential for further breakthroughs, the duo could challenge the all-time record of 624 runs established by Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s bowlers battled to secure wickets but were largely ineffective, highlighting the exceptionally flat pitch conditions at the Queens Sports Club.
Prior to this Test, Afghanistan had secured a victorious T20 series against Zimbabwe and claimed victory in the ODI series as well, establishing dominance that they continue to assert. With Day 4 approaching, it remains to be seen how long the Afghan batters will continue their assault on the Zimbabwean bowlers, in pursuit of even more records and accolades.
The current Test match between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe stands significant for showcasing the evolving capabilities of Afghanistan’s cricket team on the international stage. Prior to this encounter, Afghanistan has consistently demonstrated competitive strength against Zimbabwe through successive series victories in T20 and ODIs. This particular Test match is also notable for the historical context, considering the extraordinary achievements during the game, emphasizing Afghanistan’s improvement in Test cricket since their debut.
In conclusion, the Test match between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe has become a remarkable spectacle of record-breaking performances. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi not only set new benchmarks for their national team but also highlighted their potential to etch their names in the annals of cricket history. The match illustrates Afghanistan’s continuing rise in the international cricket realm, and it will be interesting to observe how the final days unfold as they pursue further milestones.
Original Source: www.foxsports.com.au
