Afghanistan Breaks Record with Historic Test Performance Against Zimbabwe

Afghanistan etched their name in cricket history during their drawn Test match against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. The match, marked by prolific scoring, saw Afghanistan achieve a record-breaking milestone in just their 10th Test match.

Afghanistan’s first innings total of 699 included remarkable double centuries from Rahmat Shah (234) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (246), the latter now holding the record for Afghanistan’s highest individual Test score. This innings shattered Pakistan’s 65-year-old record of scoring 600-plus runs in their 19th Test match, a feat achieved in 1958. Afghanistan’s accomplishment places them atop the list for the fewest matches to reach a 600-plus Test score.

Fewest Matches to Score 600+ Runs in Test Cricket:

1. Afghanistan: 10 matches
2. Pakistan: 19 matches
3. West Indies: 27 matches
4. Sri Lanka: 75 matches
5. Bangladesh: 76 matches

Zimbabwe, too, made history by scoring 586 in their first innings, with standout centuries from Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, and Brian Bennett. The match marked only the sixth instance in Test cricket where both teams registered their highest-ever scores in the same game.

Brian Bennett achieved a unique milestone at just 21 years and 46 days old, becoming the youngest player to score a century and take a five-wicket haul in the same Test match.

The thrilling contest concluded with Zimbabwe at 142/4 in their second innings, resulting in a draw but leaving an indelible mark on Test cricket’s record books.