On the third day of the ongoing test match in Bulawayo, Afghanistan ended their innings with a strong performance, amassing 425 runs with just two wickets down. This was largely due to an outstanding double century by Rahmat Shah. Afghanistan is still trailing by 161 runs in response to Zimbabwe’s first innings total of 586 runs.
Afghanistan's innings began with an early setback. Sadekullah Atal was dismissed for 3 runs off Trevor Gwandu's bowling. Later, Abdul Malik was out for 23 runs off Blessing Muzarabani's delivery, with the team score at 64. At this stage, Afghanistan found themselves under pressure with 2 wickets lost at 64 runs.
However, Afghanistan's batting stabilized as the day progressed. Despite the Zimbabwean bowlers' best efforts, they could not break through, and no further wickets fell by the end of the day. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi, who were at the crease, ended the day with a remarkable partnership, accumulating 361 runs for the third wicket.
Rahmat Shah achieved a double century, remaining unbeaten on 231 runs from 416 balls. His innings included 23 fours and 3 sixes. On the other hand, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi also reached a century, remaining not out on 141 runs from 276 balls, hitting 16 fours.
The fourth day will see these two batters continue their partnership at the crease, as Afghanistan aims to close the gap on Zimbabwe's total.
Zimbabwe's two wickets so far in the innings have come from Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Gwandu, who each took one wicket.
