Rahmat Shah's gritty 139 and Ismat Alam's unbeaten 64 powered Afghanistan to a commanding position on Day 3 against Zimbabwe. Their 132-run partnership turned the tide, leaving the visitors with a 205-run lead before rain halted play.

Rahmat brought up his sixth Test fifty in an evenly-distributed session. A well-thought-out plan brought about the end of Shahidullah, who ended up prodding a ball to the silly point fielder, a ball after that fielder was positioned there.

A FINE century by Rahmat Shah, his third in Tests, helped Afghanistan overturn a significant first-innings deficit and finish a rain-curtailed day - which saw

Rahmat Shah's remarkable 139-run performance significantly bolstered Afghanistan's position in the second Test against Zimbabwe, finishing the third day at 291 for 7 with a lead of 205 runs. Ismat Alam supported with a solid 64.

Rahmat Shah struck 139 in Bulawayo on Saturday to revive Afghanistan hopes of winning a series-deciding second Test against Zimbabwe before rain stopped play late on day three.

But on Saturday, Rahmat, with help from Shahidullah and Ismat Aslam, stretched Afghanistan's lead beyond 200 with three wickets still remaining, before rain forced early stumps.

This was the 25th occasion of no wicket falling in a day and the 21st of just two batters from the same team batting through the day as Afghanistan fought tooth and nail against Ziumbabwe's 586 and reduced the deficit to 161 runs with a couple of days remaining in the Boxing Day Test.

Rahmat Shah struck 139 in Bulawayo on Saturday to revive Afghanistan hopes of winning a series-deciding second test against Zimbabwe before rain stopped play late on day three.

Rahmat Shah struck 139 in Bulawayo on Saturday to revive Afghanistan’s hopes of winning a series-deciding second Test against Zimbabwe before rain stopped play late on day three. The experienced 31-year-old put on 132 for the seventh wicket with debutant Ismat Alam (64 not out) to turn a worrying overnight situation into a potential path to victory.