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AFG vs ZIM: Against all odds, Afghanistan along with Zimbabwe set records ablaze as they batted their way to history in the Test, played in Bulawayo. Afghanistan set a high record for its highest aggregate in tests by scoring 699 runs, while the Zimbabweans also etched their name at the top of the list by earning their best-ever test total of 586 runs. This high-scoring contest saw several individual and team records tumble, making it one of the most memorable Tests in recent history.
Afghanistan’s Historic 600-Run Milestone in AFG vs ZIM
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Afghanistan’s achievement of posting 600 runs in a Test match came in just their 10th Test, a remarkable feat. This made them the fastest team in the history of Test cricket to score 600 runs, surpassing Pakistan’s previous record, which had stood since 1958. Pakistan had scored 657 runs for eight wickets in their 19th Test match against the West Indies. Afghanistan’s rapid rise in the Test format is a testament to the team’s growing prowess and depth in batting.
Afghanistan’s Record-Breaking Total in AFG vs ZIM
Afghanistan has hit a total of 699 runs in this Test, which is the highest against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. This surpasses the previous best of 545/4, set by Afghanistan against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi in 2021. The team has thus dominated with the bat; in such a high-pressure format, it points toward their growth and ambitions for the international stage.
Hasmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah’s Record-Breaking Partnerships
The two most prolific Afghan batsmen on the cards were Hasmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah. Shahidi, indeed, was playing in marvelous form and registered an unforgettable 246 to break into the record of the individual highest score ever by any Afghan in Test cricket. This record-breaking performance surpassed his own previous record of 200* against Zimbabwe in 2021. Rahmat Shah also had a significant contribution in terms of scoring 234 runs, which surpassed his highest score of 202*, set earlier in the same match.
This partnership between Shahidi and Rahmat is not only a testament to their individual skills but to their incredible partnership at the crease. They have put on a massive 364-run stand for the third wicket, Afghanistan’s highest-ever partnership for any wicket in Test cricket. The partnership became the second-highest for any wicket in Test matches against Zimbabwe, with only the 438-run stand between Marvan Atapattu and Kumar Sangakkara in 2004 being ahead of it.
Afghanistan’s Ever-Lasting Friendship: A Whole Day Batting
On the third day of the Bulawayo Test, Shahidi and Rahmat batted continuously for 95 overs on a day. There isn’t much to speak, as they became one out of three pairs ever batting through a whole Test-match day. The first pair to do this was Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe, who batted 664 balls (83 eight-ball overs) in a 1925 Test match against Australia. This was followed by Geoff Marsh and Mark Taylor, who batted for 102 overs (612 balls) in the 1989 Test against the West Indies.
Zimbabwe’s Best-Ever Test Score In AFG vs ZIM Test
Zimbabwe also made history in this run-filled encounter, posting their highest-ever Test total of 586 runs in the first innings. This saw them surpassing their previous best of 563/9 when they were playing against the West Indies in Harare back in 2011. A record-breaking performance by Zimbabwe in this match indicates that they also have mileage in the longer version, and their development as a side is witnessed in this high-scoring affair.
Bryant Bennett’s Extraordinary Feat in AFG vs ZIM
In addition to the team records, Zimbabwe’s Bryant Bennett achieved an extraordinary individual feat.
At 21 years and 46 days old, Bennett became the youngest player in Test history to score a century and take five wickets in the same match. This is a great record that shattered Bruce Taylor’s previous one set in 1965 when the latter achieved it at the age of 21 years and 236 days.
The all-round performance of Bennett stands as the brightest spot in Zimbabwe’s fight in this high-scoring match. Bennett is also only the second Zimbabwean cricketer to score a century and take five wickets in the same Test match, following in the footsteps of Paul Strong, who achieved the same against Pakistan in 1996.
Afghanistan’s Rapid Progress in Test Cricket
Afghanistan’s journey in Test cricket has been remarkably swift, and their performance in this Test match only highlights their rising stature in international cricket.
Now it goes that Afghanistan has made a grand entry into the longest form of the game, batting and individual performances tumbling in records. Their potential to post huge totals along with setting individual records at the mere age of only 10th Test stands testimony to the growing infrastructure of cricketing in that country and the talent the domestic system is producing now.
A Historic AFG vs ZIM Test for Both Teams
The Bulawayo AFG vs ZIM Test will go down in history as one of the most memorable high-scoring encounters in Test cricket.
Both Afghanistan and Zimbabwe showcased their batting prowess, breaking records and producing remarkable performances. With Afghanistan’s 699-run total and Zimbabwe’s 586 runs, this match stands as a testament to the evolving nature of Test cricket, where both teams are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the longest format.
The individual performances, especially by Hasmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah, and Bryant Bennett, only added to the intrigue and made this Test match a memorable one for both countries.
