Rahmat and Shahidi Set Record with Unbeaten Partnership

Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi made history on the third day of Afghanistan’s Test against Zimbabwe, as they batted through an entire day without being dismissed, a feat last achieved nearly 100 years ago by Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe. Rahmat, with a masterful unbeaten 231, became Afghanistan’s highest run-scorer in Tests, while Shahidi, with his second Test century, added 141* to the scoreboard. Their remarkable partnership of 361 runs set a new record for Afghanistan’s highest Test partnership, as they combined for 330 runs across 95 overs on the day.

This dominant display has taken Afghanistan to 425 for 2, just 161 runs behind Zimbabwe’s massive total of 586. With both batters in commanding form, Afghanistan is well-positioned to challenge Zimbabwe’s first-innings score, and the pair’s partnership has provided a solid foundation for a competitive response in this historic Test match.

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Rahmat and Shahidi’s Commanding Partnership Leaves Zimbabwe Defenseless

Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo is renowned as one of the best batting venues in Test cricket, and Zimbabwe’s first-innings total over the first two days suggested a benign surface for the third day, with the pitch playing true, except for the occasional delivery that kept low. Zimbabwe’s bowlers were made to toil by the solid defensive game of Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi, but they were also let down by sloppy fielding, dropping at least four catches off Rahmat’s bat, along with a few half-chances. Both pace and spin proved ineffective in breaking the partnership, as the set batters capitalized on any loose deliveries from Zimbabwe’s inexperienced bowlers.

Resuming with an overnight partnership of 31 and facing a daunting 491-run deficit, Rahmat began the day by pushing a single in the first over to bring up his fifty. Zimbabwe’s bowlers, especially Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Gwandu, kept the run rate under control for a while, but it took 12 overs for the day’s first boundary, with Rahmat cutting left-arm spinner Sean Williams for four. He continued to attack, using the same approach against all three Zimbabwe spinners. With the pitch offering no variable turn, Rahmat and Shahidi found confidence in coming down the track to the spinners, with Shahidi regularly advancing against the part-time bowlers, Brandon Mavuta and Brian Bennett.

Shahidi reached his half-century five overs before lunch, and two overs later, Rahmat brought up his second Test century, a landmark that put Afghanistan in a commanding position. Despite the Zimbabwe bowlers’ best efforts, the day belonged to the two Afghan batters, whose dominance and resilience left Zimbabwe searching for answers.

Rahmat and Shahidi’s Record-Breaking Partnership Dominates Zimbabwe

The first big opportunity for Zimbabwe came in the 69th over with Afghanistan at 198 for 2 and Rahmat on 107. Bennett bowled a length ball that turned less than expected, and Rahmat’s shot resulted in an outside edge that flew past Craig Ervine’s left at first slip. Rahmat was also lucky to survive two dropped chances—at long-on when on 134, and in a Muzarabani over at 152, when two catching opportunities went begging. In between, the pair continued their dominance, bringing up their 200-run partnership with a series of boundaries through midwicket and cover as Muzarabani and Gwandu overpitched. By tea, Afghanistan had accumulated 203 runs in the first two sessions, reaching 298 for 2.

After tea, Rahmat and Shahidi’s momentum showed no signs of slowing down. Rahmat picked up three fours off Nyamhuri in the first over after the break, and Shahidi cut him for another four to move to 99, before bringing up his second Test century with a single on the next delivery. The second new ball offered little respite for Zimbabwe, as the pair continued to accumulate runs. Rahmat’s four through cover in the 108th over brought up their 300-run partnership, and a single soon after took Rahmat to 199, as the stand reached a new record for Afghanistan at 308.

Shahidi, who had previously been Afghanistan’s only double-centurion, watched as Rahmat joined him on that list. Rahmat’s landmark moment came not from a cautious single but a full-blooded drive through mid-on, sending the ball to the boundary and claiming Afghanistan’s highest individual score, surpassing Shahidi’s 200* from 2021. Rahmat’s celebration was shared with teammates and the sparse home crowd as the two batters continued their march towards history. As the final hour of the day began, Zimbabwe were left frustrated, having failed to take a wicket, despite Ervine’s attempts to unsettle the pair with unusual field placements.

In the final 13 overs, Rahmat and Shahidi reeled in their attacking stroke play, with only three boundaries scored—a couple of fours and a six—as their focus shifted to finishing the day unbeaten. Williams bowled the final over without incident, and as Rahmat and Shahidi walked off the field, they were greeted by a standing ovation from their teammates and support staff. The Zimbabwe fielders, too, acknowledged their remarkable effort, as the pair ended the day with smiles, having batted through the entire final session to finish 425 for 2.