Although, nothing extraordinary was expected from Afghanistan, they produced a strong fightback to claw back into the second and final test fixture against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. The visitors have amassed a lead of 205 runs and have three wickets to spare heading into the fourth day of the game.
Afghanistan started Day 3 on 46/3, with Rahmat Shah (18*) and Zia-ur-Rehman (0*) at the crease. Although, Rehman got a lucky four off Richard Ngarava, the left-arm pacer trapped him with a bouncer and sent him packing for 6.
Soon, Ngarava invited keeper Afsar Zazai (5) to drive against his fuller delivery, however, the right-hander played an uppish shot resulting in him getting holed out at point. However, Shah looked solid with his approach and straight-batted shots.
Shahidullah supported the veteran batter well by accumulating odd boundaries and successfully negating the opposition’s bowling attack. At Lunch, Afghanistan was at 125/5.
However, Zimbabwe’s premier pacer Blessing Muzarabani got an important breakthrough of Shahidullah (22), whose defensive shot was caught by Takudzwanashe Kaitano at silly point. Soon, Shah got to his hundred off 209 balls, but he needed a strong support at the other end to keep increasing the team’s lead.
Ismat Alam joined hands with Rahmat Shah to floor Zimbabwe
Playing his debut test, Ismat Alam was out on a duck in the first innings. However, he tried to correct things in the second innings with his positive mindset. The talent was there to see with Alam’s cut shots and cover drives, as he gradually brought back the team’s momentum.
Afghanistan ended the second session on 203/6, a stage where both teams had the chance to end the day with the odds favoring them.
Rahmat Shah kept accumulating boundaries against Sikandar Raza, who was bowling too full and making life easier for the batters. Meanwhile, Alam reached his fifty off 108 balls with a firm pull shot for a single towards the square leg region.
In the last hour of the third session, Blessing Muzarabani trapped Shah LBW for a terrific knock of 139 off 275 balls, laced with 14 fours.
Only 22 overs were possible in the final session as the rain showers ended the day’s play early. The visitors are at 291/7 and have gained a substantial lead of 205 runs, with Ismat Alam (64*) and Rashid Khan (12*) remaining unbeaten.
