BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe — Rahmat Shah’s masterful century kept Afghanistan in contention in the series-deciding second Test against Zimbabwe on Saturday. Shah scored a gritty 139 runs at Queens Sports Club, helping his team recover from a precarious position before rain halted play late on the third day.
The 31-year-old put together a crucial 132-run partnership for the seventh wicket with debutant Ismat Alam, who remained unbeaten on 64. Their stand transformed Afghanistan’s overnight struggles into a promising lead. By the close of play, Afghanistan had reached 291 for 7, building a 205-run advantage.
The visitors had started day two in trouble, losing three wickets for just 46 runs, including the early dismissal of captain Hashmatullah Shahidi for 13. Coming in at No. 3 with Afghanistan at 18 for 2, Shah steadied the innings with a determined knock that spanned 275 deliveries.
Despite setbacks earlier in the match, Shah and Alam’s resilience offered Afghanistan a path to victory in the southern Zimbabwean city. The match, however, was interrupted by rain, cutting short the day’s play.
Afghanistan’s earlier batters faltered, with Zia-ur-Rehman scoring just six runs, Afsar Zazai five, Shahidullah Kamal 22, Abdul Malik one, and Riaz Hassan 11. Afghanistan had posted 157 in their first innings, trailing Zimbabwe’s 243. But Shah’s commanding century and Alam’s solid support in the second innings helped Afghanistan regain control.
With two days remaining and a substantial lead, Afghanistan appears poised for a decisive outcome, weather permitting.
