Atal, Rahmanullah lead Afghanistan’s strong fightback after Zimbabwe post 504

Zimbabwe built on centuries from Brendan Taylor and Brian Bennett to post 504 against Afghanistan, but were met with a strong reply, helmed by debutant Rahmanullah and opener Sediqullah Atal on Day 2 of the first Test in Sharjah.

Starting the day on 326/5, Bennett followed Taylor in reaching a century. He was supported well by a fifty from Wessly Madhevere, while contributions from the lower order kept Afghanistan’s bowlers on the field well into the post-Lunch session.

Afghanistan's seamers used a lot of short balls in the morning, but they didn't make any progress until just after drinks. But once Madhevere had ticked past his fifty, the ploy finally worked for Sharifi.

Bennett, making his Test captaincy debut, carried on unfazed, scoring his century with a hard four-ball slash in the 104th over. Zimbabwe won the over with a six six later. Bennett was stopped by a superb catch. He tried to chase a tossed-up Qais Ahmad pass, but Zia-ur-Rehman, who was diving, stopped him.

Graeme Cremer, who had been out of the Test team for nearly nine years, was brought in. Tadafzwa Tsiga worked slowly on his start at the other end, and the two of them pushed them past 450 before Tsiga became Qais's third victim. With Afghanistan at the tail, Cremer hit Qais with two consecutive fours before joining forces with Newman Nyamhuri, who stayed for 25 balls.

Saleem Safi took his third wicket, bowling out Zimbabwe shortly after they reached 500, keeping Cremer unbeaten on 34.

Two fortunate breaks set the stage for Afghanistan's response. Atal was dropped by Blessing Muzarabani's first ball at the gully, and Innocent Kaia spilled another ball, giving him a second chance. When a catch was claimed at third slip shortly thereafter, Atal survived another chance, but replays gave the batter the benefit of the doubt.

Abdul Malik was pouched by the keeper Tsiga's excellent one-handed take as he attempted to deliver a ball down the leg, and Nyamhuri was quick to remove him. However, throughout the evening, Zimbabwe had no other opportunities.

With the pitch showing signs of wear, spinners were employed from both ends from the 13th over. But Atal and Rahmanullah worked hard to watchfully keep them at bay. Cremer, looking for his first wicket in a Test since 2017, tried to use the round-the-wicket angle on Rahmanullah, who plays with his right hand, but the debutant managed his spell well. He used the sweep when it was too full, as did Atal, using the reverse sweep against the leggie. Atal also made good use of his feet, hitting Cremer with two sixes from below the ground.

Atal got to his with a hook for four off of a bouncer, while Rahmanullah punched the air after reaching his first fifty. The two continued to fight together until the end of the day. With light fading, Zimbabwe brought back the quicks in the hopes of sparking something. The light meters came out when Rahmanullah was checked for concussion after coping a Muzarabani bouncer on his helmet. The Zimbabwe quick did not relent, following it with another bumper that darted into his forearm, which prompted the umpires to end the day.