Afghanistan 515 for 3 (Rahmat 234, Shahidi 179*, Muzarabani 1-52) Zimbabwe 586 for 71 runs
Shahidi was still batting on 179, while Afsar Zazai was within sight of his first Test half-century, finishing unbeaten on 46 and the pair added an unbroken 87 for the fourth wicket.
Both Nyamhuri and Blessing Muzarabani got movement in the seams, and at times even extra bounce, but Shahidi and new batsman Afsar Zazai remained alert. Every time the line opened, none of the batsmen avoided elevating or cutting the ball. Shahidi reached 150 in the 131st over, when he clipped Nyamhuri through fine leg. For the most part, both rapids held it steady.
The first limit of the day came only in the 137th over. Trevor Gwandu directed one towards Shahidi, who made a beautiful run to split cover and midfield. From then on, it was Zazai who continued to find the limit, while Shahidi seemed much calmer at the other end.
Three overs later, Zazai hit his first boundary at mid-wicket when Sean Williams bowled one short. In the 141st over, Zazai swung his bat at one full and wide outside Gwandu, only for the ball to fly for four over the gully. After two overs, Zazai clipped Gwandu for another boundary just after his partnership with Shahidi had crossed fifty.
Zazai picked up his only six by pulling Williams over square leg. Sensing they were gaining pace, Zimbabwe slowed the pace thanks to Muzarabani, Brandon Mavuta and Brian Bennett. Afghanistan managed just 14 runs in the next seven overs, and that brought the morning session to an end.
Shahidi drove the second delivery after lunch for four at deep extra cover, but only two overs were possible in the afternoon. Seeing ominous gray clouds forming, the referees stopped the game at 12:53 pm sensing a heavy downpour, which arrived soon.
The rain eased an hour later and the ground crew began removing the blankets. But that effort proved futile when another downpour began. That rain was relentless and the stumps were called in at 4:35 p.m.
