Key points

• Afghanistan reached 402 for 7 at stumps on day three, trailing Zimbabwe's 504 by 102 runs.
• Sediqullah Atal scored 105 and debutant Rahmanullah Zadran made 113, sharing a 206-run second-wicket stand.
• Rahmanullah became only the second Afghanistan batter to score a century on Test debut.
• Captain Rahmat Shah finished the day unbeaten on 94, six runs short of a century.
• Zimbabwe had earlier posted 504, built on centuries from Brendan Taylor and captain Brian Bennett.

Afghanistan produced a remarkable batting fightback on day three of the first Test against Zimbabwe in Sharjah, with centuries from Sediqullah Atal and debutant Rahmanullah Zadran carrying the hosts to 402 for 7 in reply to Zimbabwe's imposing 504.

At stumps, Afghanistan trailed by 102 runs with three first-innings wickets remaining — a position that looked unlikely when they resumed the day on 113 for 1, still 391 runs behind.

Twin centuries turn the match

Atal and Rahmanullah resumed their partnership in the morning and batted through the bulk of the day, adding 206 runs for the second wicket. Rahmanullah was the first to three figures, reaching his century off 156 deliveries with 12 fours and a six, before he was run out for 113 off 188 balls while attempting a quick single.

Atal followed him to a century off 197 balls and went on to make 105 off 213 deliveries, including six fours and three sixes, before he was caught behind off Graeme Cremer.

The stand was the backbone of Afghanistan's reply. Opener Abdul Malik had fallen for just 2 on day two, and the pair's discipline — mixing watchful defence with confident strokeplay — kept Zimbabwe's bowlers waiting for more than 65 overs.

A debut hundred to remember

Rahmanullah's 113 was the highest individual score by an Afghanistan batter on Test debut. He became only the second Afghan batter to score a hundred in his maiden Test, joining Ismat Alam, who made 101 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo last year.

It was the sixth first-class hundred of Rahmanullah's career, and it came in a match where Afghanistan badly needed a long innings after conceding more than 500 runs.

Rahmat holds the innings together

After both centurions departed, captain Rahmat Shah took charge of the resistance. He finished the day unbeaten on 94 off 194 balls, with eight fours and a six, having already passed his eighth Test fifty. He will resume on day four six runs short of a century, with Zia-ur-Rehman yet to face a ball at the other end.

Rahmat's calm presence gives Afghanistan a realistic chance of wiping out the remaining deficit and avoiding the follow-on, which would keep the match alive into the final two days.

How Zimbabwe got to 504

Zimbabwe's total was built on two centuries of their own. Brendan Taylor scored 131 on the opening day, and captain Brian Bennett completed his first Test century as captain with 128 off 206 balls. Wesley Madhevere added 54 as the lower order carried the total beyond 500 in 134.3 overs.

The first Test, scheduled for 5–9 November at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, is the opening match of a two-Test series between the sides.

FAQ

What is the score in the Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Test?

After day three, Zimbabwe made 504 and Afghanistan are 402 for 7, trailing by 102 runs.

Who scored centuries for Afghanistan?

Sediqullah Atal made 105 and debutant Rahmanullah Zadran made 113. Captain Rahmat Shah is unbeaten on 94.

Who was the second Afghanistan batter to score a Test hundred on debut?

Rahmanullah Zadran, after Ismat Alam, who scored 101 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo last year.

How did Zimbabwe reach 504?

Centuries from Brendan Taylor (131) and captain Brian Bennett (128), plus a half-century from Wesley Madhevere.