Sediqullah Atal and Rahmanullah struck centuries on the third day of the Afghanistan Zimbabwe Test in Sharjah, dragging Afghanistan back from a huge deficit and leaving the match finely poised with two days to play.
Afghanistan closed day three on 402 for 7 in 125 overs, trailing Zimbabwe’s first innings total of 504 by only 102 runs. Captain Rahmat Shah was unbeaten on 94, six runs short of a century, with Zia-ur-Rehman on nought at the other end, Geo Super reported.
The pair resumed on 113 for 1 and built a 206-run stand for the second wicket, the partnership that turned the match. Both men reached three figures before Zimbabwe fought back, and the day ended with Afghanistan still batting and the follow-on long avoided.
Afghanistan Zimbabwe Test turns on twin centuries
Atal made 105 from 213 balls, with six fours and three sixes, before Graeme Cremer had him caught behind in the second session. Rahmanullah top-scored with 113 from 188 balls, striking 12 fours and a six, before a run out ended his innings.
The run out sparked a brief collapse. Afghanistan slipped to 275 for 5 after losing two more wickets in quick succession, and Zimbabwe sensed a way back into the match.
Rahmat Shah held firm. He found support first from Ikram Alikhil, who made 40 in a 65-run stand for the sixth wicket, and then from Qais Ahmad, who added 29 in a 55-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Cremer removed Alikhil, and Newman Nyamhuri dismissed Qais Ahmad. Nyamhuri has been Zimbabwe’s best bowler in the innings, with four wickets for 62 runs in 23 overs, while Cremer has taken two.
Shah added seven more runs with Zia-ur-Rehman before stumps, reaching 94 from 194 balls with 13 boundaries. He will resume on the penultimate day chasing his century, with Afghanistan needing 102 runs to draw level with Zimbabwe’s total.
From 504 behind to 102 behind
The recovery is all the more striking for where Afghanistan started the day. Zimbabwe had piled up 504 in their first innings, a total built on the second day, when Bennett led the batting. Afghanistan began their reply 504 runs behind and lost an early wicket before Atal and Rahmanullah took charge.
The 206-run stand was the spine of the innings. It took Afghanistan from 113 for 1 to a position of safety, and it set up the middle order to push towards Zimbabwe’s total rather than merely survive.
Day four will decide the shape of the match. If Shah reaches his century and the tail adds useful runs, Afghanistan could take a lead and put Zimbabwe under pressure in their second innings. If Zimbabwe wrap up the tail quickly, they will bat again with a small lead and a chance to set a target.
Either way, the match has already delivered a contest. A first innings of 504 usually settles a Test early. Afghanistan’s reply has kept it alive, and the final two days in Sharjah now carry real weight.
Test cricket returns to Pakistan this week too. The Pakistan squad for the Sri Lanka series includes three uncapped players, with the first Test starting in Rawalpindi on November 9. The longer format has also seen change elsewhere, with Mohammed Shami retiring from Test cricket and Towhid Hridoy scoring a record double century for Bangladesh against West Indies.
For now, though, the focus is Sharjah, where Rahmat Shah resumes six short of a hundred and Afghanistan chase the 102 runs that would turn a rescue into a lead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the score in the Afghanistan Zimbabwe Test?
At stumps on day three, Afghanistan were 402 for 7 in reply to Zimbabwe’s 504, trailing by 102 runs with three first-innings wickets in hand.
Who scored centuries for Afghanistan?
Sediqullah Atal made 105 and Rahmanullah made 113. The pair added 206 runs for the second wicket. Captain Rahmat Shah was unbeaten on 94 at stumps.
Who has taken the wickets for Zimbabwe?
Newman Nyamhuri has taken four wickets for 62 runs, and Graeme Cremer has taken two, including the wicket of Atal.
What happens on day four?
Play resumes on the penultimate day with Rahmat Shah six runs short of a century. Afghanistan need 102 runs to draw level with Zimbabwe’s first innings total.
