Hashmatullah Shahidi joined Rahmat Shah and captain Asghar Afghan to become just the third Test centurion for Afghanistan on Day 2 of the first fixture against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi. Afghan continued his good work from Day 1 to leave Zimbabwe bowlers to toil on a tough morning session.
The fourth-wicket pair achieved one of the two tasks head coach Lance Klusener had earmarked for his team before the series – of batting 100 overs. At Lunch, they reached 388 for 3, just 12 short of cantering to the second task from the South African – of scoring 400 runs.
As was the case of Day 1, Afghanistan scored at a comfortable pace as the green-looking Abu Dhabi pitch continued to favour the batsmen. The morning session fetched them 81 runs in 28 overs without any damage, even as Zimbabwe fluffed a couple of chances that came their way.
Afghan overcame a painful hit to his knee off a Donald Tiripano delivery that moved in and caught the Afghanistan skipper off guard. Afghan took more risks, and his adventurism made room for a much-needed breakthrough, only for Kevin Kasuza to put down a regulation chance offered to him at point off the bowling of his captain Sean Williams.
A couple of overs later, Williams himself failed to hold onto a tough catch to see the back of Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi hit one ball straight back at the bowler, which ricocheted off Williams’s fingers. The Zimbabwe skipper attempted to pouch the ball on the second attempt but failed.
With the rub of the green on their side, the Afghanistan pair continued to torment the Zimbabwean bowlers. Shahidi brought up the 250-run partnership for the fourth wicket by dancing down the track to Williams and carting a six over mid-off.
At the break, Afghanistan reached 388 for 3, with Afghan batting on 137, Shahidi on 127, and no respite for the bowlers in sight.
