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Rahmat ShahThe masterful century anchored Afghanistaninnings and turned the tide decisively in their favor on Day 3 of the ongoing Test match against Zimbabwe. Starting the day in a precarious position of 46/3, Afghanistan faced immense pressure from a disciplined Zimbabwe bowling attack. However, Rahmat showed extraordinary composure and technical skill, meeting the challenges with remarkable precision.
His unbeaten innings of 139 runs was not just a personal milestone but a testament to his ability to perform under pressure. Supported by crucial partnerships, Rahmat ensured Afghanistan transformed a shaky start into a commanding lead. Despite moments of brilliance with the ball, Zimbabwe failed to maintain their momentum as Afghanistan’s batsmen consolidated throughout the day. Unfortunately, Afghanistan had tightened their control of the match with a 205-run lead, leaving Zimbabwe with a daunting task in the final innings.
The third day began with Afghanistan on the back foot, precariously placed at 46/3 and trailing Zimbabwe’s first innings score. Zimbabwe’s attacking pace, led by Muzarabani Blessing and richard shipcontinued to extract movement from the surface, making life difficult for the Afghan batsmen in the morning session. Both played with discipline, forcing Afghanistan to take a cautious approach to avoid further setbacks. shahidullah he teamed up with Rahmat to stabilize the innings, carefully considering the initial threat.
However, Zimbabwe’s persistence paid off when Shahidullah fell into the hands of Muzarabani, trapped by We wish you good health. At 69/5, Afghanistan were in a fragile position but Rahmat’s determination was evident as he began to piece together the innings with calculated shot selection. By lunch, Afghanistan had reached 125/5, thanks to Rahmat’s unwavering concentration, providing a ray of hope for a recovery.
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Rahmat Shah’s century anchors Afghanistan
Rahmat was the cornerstone of Afghanistan’s resurgence, playing an innings that will be remembered for its bravery and elegance. Faced with relentless pressure from the Zimbabwe players, Rahmat initially adopted a defensive approach, ensuring that no further wickets fell during his time in the box. His association with Ismat Alam proved crucial as the duo added 132 runs for eight wickets, stabilizing the innings and frustrating the opposition.
Rahmat’s shot selection was impeccable; he balanced solid defense with calculated aggression, punishing anything too forward or open. His century was a moment of pure class, achieved with an elegant flick to square leg, which brought the entire Afghan dressing room to its feet in applause. The knock, which lasted almost five hours and featured 14 boundaries, epitomized resilience and showed his ability to adapt to the demands of Test cricket. Even after reaching the milestone, Rahmat continued to rack up runs, ensuring Afghanistan moved into a position of strength.
Zimbabwe bowling falters in final session
As the day progressed, Zimbabwe’s players appeared to lose their previous discipline and intensity, allowing Afghanistan to capitalize in the final session. Although Rahmat fell late in the day to Muzarabani, his dismissal did little to halt Afghanistan’s progress. The lower middle order, led by Rashid Khan and Alam, contributed vital runs, further frustrating Zimbabwe. Alam, in particular, counterattacked effectively, finding boundaries with ease and ensuring the score kept moving forward.
Zimbabwe had moments of success, with Muzarabani claiming key grounds and Ngarava keeping things tight, but they lacked the consistency needed to take Afghanistan out economically. When the stumps were called because of the rain, Afghanistan had accumulated 291/7gaining a significant advantage that put them firmly in control. With the pitch beginning to show signs of wear, Zimbabwe now face an uphill battle to save the match, and their batsmen need to negotiate a challenging Day 4 against a spirited Afghan bowling attack.
Rain forced early stumbles on Day 3 in Bulawayo, when AfghanAtalan reached 291/7, leading by 205 runs.
Tomorrow morning, the game will start 30 minutes early, at 12:00 pm (AFT). 👍#AfghanAtalan | #ZIMvAFG | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/aeNwpZWVtt
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) January 4, 2025
