Afghanistan’s Hashmatullah Shahidi became the first batsman from the country to register a double hundred in Test cricket. Shahidi got his first double century on Day Two of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Shahidi made 200 not out off 443 balls with 21 fours and one six as Afghanistan put up a mammoth 545 for 4 in their first innings. Captain Asghar Afghan made 164 while opener Ibrahim Zadran scored 72. Zimbabwe lead the two-match series 1.
Shahidi has played five Tests and 42 ODIs for Afghanistan since making his international debut in an ODI against Kenya.
He made his Test debut in Afghanistan’s first-ever Test, against India in Bengaluru in 2018.
The 26-year-old left-handed batsman has 347 runs from five Tests and 1155 runs from 42 ODIs to his name thus far.
In the second Test, Zimbabwe finished 50 without loss at Stumps on Day 2.
Earlier, it was a tough passage of play for the Zimbabwe bowlers who toiled for nearly two days in the field for four wickets.
Afghan and Shahidi shared a 307-run partnership for the fourth wicket to deflate Zimbabwe’s bowlers and put Afghanistan in a position of strength.
Afghan, the captain, is now the highest scorer for Afghanistan in their brief Test history with 440 runs from six Tests at 44.
Shahidi comes a close second with his tally of 347 followed by Zadran, who has 327 runs from four Tests.
Zimbabwe had defeated Afghanistan by 10 wickets in the first Test that was also played in Abu Dhabi.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Afghanistan declared their innings on 545/4 as soon as Shahidi got to the double hundred mark
- Zimbabwe were given 17 overs to bat out the day and ended well on 50/0
- Zimbabwe won the first Test against Afghanistan by 10 wickets
Afghanistan Squad:
Playing:
Ibrahim Zadran, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Nasir Jamal, Afsar Zazai (wk), Asghar Afghan (c), Shahidullah Kamal, Rashid Khan, Amir Hamza, Sayed Shirzad
Bench:
Abdul Malik, Munir Ahmad, Abdul Wasi, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zahir Khan, Zia-ur-Rehman, Wafadar Momand, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Bahir Shah, Mohammad Saleem
Zimbabwe Squad:
Playing:
Prince Masvaure, Kevin Kasuza, Tarisai Musakanda, Sean Williams (c), Wesley Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva (wk), Donald Tiripano, Blessing Muzarabani, Victor Nyauchi
Bench:
Wellington Masakadza, Richmond Mutumbami, Brandon Mavuta, Richard Ngarava
