ZIM vs AFG 2024/25, Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan 1st Test, Day 4, Bulawayo Match Report, 26 – 30 December 2024

Afghanistan 425 for 2 (Rahmat 231*, Shahidi 141*) track Zimbabwe 586 times 161 runs

The Zimbabwe bowlers were made to grind it out by the strong defensive play shown by Rahmat and Shahidi, but they were also let down by their fielding. At least four catches fell, all off Rahmat, along with a couple of half chances. Both spin and pace proved ineffective in making a breakthrough and the set debates revolved around the loose deliveries from the inexperienced bowlers, a regular occurrence throughout the day.

Starting the day fresh from an overnight partnership of 31 and staring at a mammoth deficit of 491, Rahmat took a single in the first over of the day to bring up his fifty. But some disciplined bowling from Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Gwandu kept the run score in check. It took 12 overs for the first boundary of the day when Rahmat picked up one, cutting left-arm spinner Sean Williams for four, and it would be a ploy he would use against all three Zimbabwe spinners. With no variable swing from the pitch, the pair could also rely on their game when coming down the pitch against the spinners, something Shahidi often did against part-timers Brandon Mavuta and Brian Bennett. Five overs before lunch, Shahidi brought up his half-century and two overs later, Rahmat had completed his second Test ton.

Then came the first big chance in the 69th over with Afghanistan on 198 for 2 and Rahmat on 107. Bennett got a length ball to turn less than expected, Rahmat’s prod brought an outside edge and the ball flew past Craig Ervine’s left at first slip . On 134 Rahmat survived a missed chance at long-on and on 152 escaped two catch opportunities in a Muzarabani over. In between, the pair brought up their 200 stand by finding the fence through midwicket or cover as Muzarabani and Gwandu overpitched their deliveries. And at tea, Afghanistan were 298 for 2, with 203 runs amassed in the first two sessions.

Fresh from the two missed chances in the penultimate over of the second session, Zimbabwe were further deflated at the start of the post-tea session when Rahmat hit three fours off Nyamhuri in the first over after resumption. In the same Nyamhuri spell, Shahidi cut him for four to move to 99 and the next ball took a single to get his second Test ton.

As the second new ball also got old, the boundaries dried up again, but a four-through cover from Rahmat to start the 108th over brought up the 300-run stand. When Rahmat moved to 199 with a single soon after, the partnership ticked over to 308, a new record for Afghanistan.

Shahidi, the only double-centurion for Afghanistan in the past, watched from the other end as Rahmat joined him at the crease and it came not in the form of a careful single but a full-blooded drive at mid-off. As the ball trickled to the boundary, Rahmat was applauded by his teammates and the sparse home crowd as he also went past Shahidi’s score of 200* from 2021 to claim the Afghanistan record for the highest individual score.

As the final hour of the day began and Zimbabwe realized they could have their first ever day of Test cricket without a single wicket, Ervine tempted the two batsmen with some unusual fielding positions – perhaps to buy a wicket or force them. to do something different – but there was no sway.

If anything, Rahmat and Shahidi reined in their punches. Only three boundaries were scored in the last 13 overs – just three fours and a six – as it was clear that their aim was to finish the day unbeaten. As Williams played the last of the day without much drama, Rahmat and Shahidi walked back with smiles, were congratulated by a couple of Zimbabwean fielders and were welcomed with a standing ovation by their teammates and support staff.