ZIMBABWE strengthened their position in the first Test against Afghanistan by posting 504 in their first innings, but Afghanistan responded with a promising batting effort to reach 113 for one at stumps on the second day in Sharjah. Sediqullah Atal and Rahmanullah remained unbeaten on 55 and 50 respectively, bringing down the deficit to 391 runs.
Resuming on 326 for five, Zimbabwe added 178 runs to their overnight total, with Brian Bennett completing a century on his Test captaincy debut. Having begun the day unbeaten on 71, Bennett went on to score 128 off 206 deliveries, striking 11 fours. He shared a valuable 96-run stand for the sixth wicket with Wessly Madhevere, who contributed 54 off 70 balls, as Zimbabwe moved past the 350-run mark and consolidated their position.
Bennett eventually fell to Qais Ahmad at 437 when he miscued a slog, bringing an end to a patient innings that lasted 362 minutes. Zimbabwe continued to add useful runs through the lower order, with wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga making 44 and Graeme Cremer remaining unbeaten on 34.
For Afghanistan, Qais picked up three for 82, while Mohammad Saleem also finished with three wickets.
Afghanistan had an early setback in their reply when Abdul Malik fell for two to Newman Nyamhuri, leaving them at 14 for one. However, Atal and Rahmanullah ensured there were no further blemishes.
Atal brought up his half-century off 101 deliveries, while debutant Rahmanullah reached the milestone in 78 balls, providing some momentum to the innings.
The pair settled in in the final session and added 99 runs for the unbroken second-wicket partnership that took Afghanistan to a decent total at the close.
In summary, Afghanistan began their reply cautiously, reaching tea at 8/0 after four overs, with Abdul Malik on two and Sediqullah Atal on six.
The hosts lost an early wicket but recovered through Atal and Rahmanullah Zadran, who established an important partnership to steady the innings.
Afghanistan reached 50 in the 18th over, with the pair adding 50 runs together from 95 deliveries. Atal contributed 22 from 48 balls during the stand, while Zadran scored 28 from 47.
By the drinks interval, Afghanistan had advanced to 96/1 after 29 overs, with Atal on 45 and Zadran on 48.
Zadran subsequently completed his half-century from 78 deliveries, striking seven boundaries, while Atal also reached fifty, taking 101 balls and hitting three fours and two sixes.
The pair remained central to Afghanistan’s recovery as the hosts reached 113/1 from 35 overs at stumps.
Despite Zimbabwe’s dominant first-innings total, Afghanistan will take encouragement from their response, having lost just one wicket in 35 overs.
Atal and Zadran’s half-centuries have provided the hosts with a platform, although they still face a considerable deficit of 391 runs.
Zimbabwe will look to make early breakthroughs on Day 3 and capitalise on their substantial total, while Afghanistan need their established batters to build lengthy partnerships if they are to work their way back into the contest.
With Zimbabwe already past 500 and Afghanistan still a long way behind, the third day could prove decisive in determining the direction of the opening Test. — Cricinfo/agencies/ Zimpapers Sports Hub
