Rahmat Shah set a new Afghanistan Test record with an unbeaten 231 and led his team to a commanding score of 425-2 at the end of the third day of the first Test against Zimbabwe on Saturday.

Shah teamed up with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi in a monumental 361-run stand as Shahidi ended the day with 141, his second Test century.

Afghanistan started the day at 95-2 and quickly increased to 425-2, with Zimbabwe’s six-man attack unable to find a breakthrough.

This was only the 26th day without a wicket in Test cricket history, the last being England vs West Indies in 2019.

Shah’s innings, which spanned 416 balls, included three sixes and 23 fours, surpassing Afghanistan’s previous best individual score of 200* set by Shahidi against Zimbabwe in 2020. His previous highest score was 102 against Bangladesh in 2019, Afghanistan’s first ever Test century.

Shahidi, who was a solid partner, faced 276 balls, hit 16 fours and reached his century with a pull shot to fine leg. Zimbabwe, who posted a record 586 in their first innings, have a lead of 161 runs as Afghanistan enter the fourth day.

In Zimbabwe’s attack, which lacked consistency, medium pacer Trevor Gwandu took one wicket but conceded 86 runs.

Afghanistan won both the T20 and ODI series ahead of this Test series, which begins on January 2.

Zimbabwe has the highest overall score of any test

On Friday, Zimbabwe set their highest-ever Test record by scoring 586 runs in 135.2 overs in the first innings.

Sean Williams led the attack with a brilliant 154 from 174 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes. He was well supported by Craig Ervine, who scored 104 off 176 balls, and Brian Bennett, who remained unbeaten with 110 off 124 balls.

Ben Curran also contributed on his Test debut with a solid 68 off 74 balls as he opened the batting.

This remarkable achievement surpassed Zimbabwe’s previous highest score of 563/9, achieved against the West Indies in Harare in 2001.

Short results:

Zimbabwe: 586 in 135.2 overs (Sean Williams 154, Brian Bennett 110*, Craig Ervine 104, Ben Curran 68; Allah Ghazanfar 3-127)

Afghanistan: 425-2 in 125 overs (Rahmat Shah 231*, Hashmatullah Shahidi 141*)