Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2021, 2nd Test: Day 2 - Double-Centurion Hashmatullah Shahidi And 150+ Run-Scorer Asghar Afghan Guide Afghanistan To 500+ Total

Afghanistan cricketers Hashmatullah Shahidi and skipper Asghar Afghan continued their dominant batting on the second day of the ongoing Test match against Zimbabwe as they built up the giant first innings total with their record knocks.

Afghanistan started the day on their overnight score of 307/3 and stretched to their record Test innings total of 545/4 decl. In reply, Zimbabwe were batting on 50/0 as they are still trailing by 495 runs.

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2021, 2nd Test: Day 2 – Asghar Afghan became the first 150-run scorer, Hashmatullah Shahidi became the first double centurion in Afghanistan Test cricket history

Overnight batsmen (Hashmatullah Shahidi and Asghar Afghan continued their dominant partnership from the second-day morning session, where they completed the 200 runs partnership for the fourth wicket and it was Afghanistan’s first-ever double-century partnership in Test cricket. Later, Shahidi completed his maiden Test century in 276 balls.

Soon, Afghanistan completed their first-ever 350 total in a Test innings. At lunch, they scored 388/3 as both were approaching their 150+ scores.

In the second session of the day, skipper Asghar completed his 150-run mark in 227 balls. Later, they completed the 300 runs partnership for that 4th wicket. Finally, Sikandar Raza provided the breakthrough after dismissing Asghar for 164 runs off 257 balls (14 fours and 2 sixes) as he had the 307 runs fourth-wicket partnership with Hashmatullah, who later completed his 150 runs in 382 balls. At tea, they managed a total of 496/4.

In the third session of the day, Nasir Jamal completed his fifty in 86 balls. Soon, they also completed the century partnership for the fifth wicket. During the 161st over of that innings, Hashmatullah created history by becoming the first Afghanistan batsman to score a Test double-century by reaching that feat in 443 balls.

After that double-century, Afghanistan immediately announced their first-ever declaration in a Test innings. Nasir remained not out on 55 runs off 91 balls (4 fours) while Hashmatullah scored 200 not out on 443 balls (21 fours and only four).

Zimbabwe have also set up a strong reply as both the openers Prince Masvaure (29*) Kevin Kasuza (14*) remained not out at the stumps of the day.

Brief Scores: Afghanistan – 545/4 decl. (Hashmatullah Shahidi 200*; Asghar Afghan 164, Ryan Burl 1/69)

Zimbabwe – 50/0 (Prince Masvaure 29*, Kevin Kasuza 14*)