Hashmatullah Shahidi becomes first Afghanistan player to hit Test double-hundred
Middle-order batsman Hashmatullah Shahidi has become the first player from Afghanistan to hit a double-century in Test Cricket. The 26-year-old achieved the special milestone on Day 2 of the ongoing Test between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. Shortly after Shahidi completed his double-ton, Afghanistan declared on 545/4. Earlier, skipper Asghar Afghan also registered his maiden Test century. Here is more.
How did the innings pan out?
Batting first in the second Test, Afghanistan were reduced to 56/2. Opener Ibrahim Zadran and Shahidi further stitched a 65-run stand before the latter got dismissed (72). After that, skipper Afghan, along with Shahidi, took apart the Zimbabwe bowling line-up. The duo completed their respective hundreds, taking Afghanistan past 400. Eventually, Afghanistan made the declaration on 545/4 (160.4 overs).
A historic double-hundred by Shahidi
As stated, Shahidi became the first Afghan batsman to have scored a double-ton in Test cricket. His unbeaten 200 (443) was studded with 21 fours and 1 six. During the innings, the left-handed batsman and Afghan added 307 runs between them as Afghanistan extended their dominance. This turned out to be first 300-run partnership in the Test format.
A look at the other records that were scripted
It is interesting to note that Shahidi and Afghan became the only centurions besides Rahmat Shah in Test cricket for Afghanistan. Also, Afghan became the first Afghanistan batsman to cross the 150-run mark in Test Cricket. Notably, the Afghanistan cricket team played their maiden Test in 2018 against India, after achieving the status of Test-playing nation by the ICC.
Afghanistan aim for a turnaround
Afghanistan have started strongly in the second Test after losing the series opener to Zimbabwe by 10 wickets. On Day 2, they managed to put up a mammoth 545, riding on some fruitful knocks on a greenish surface. They remain favorites to win the Test as Zimbabwe trail by 495 runs. At stumps on Day 2, Zimbabwe finished on 50/0.
