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Afghan batsman makes Test history in never-before-seen feat

Chris Young
·3-min read
Hashmatullah Shahidi has claimed the record for the highest Test innings by an Afghanistan player, becoming the first batsman from the new Test nation to reach a double century with his stand of 200. Picture: ACB Media/Twitter
Hashmatullah Shahidi has claimed the record for the highest Test innings by an Afghanistan player, becoming the first batsman from the new Test nation to reach a double century with his stand of 200. Picture: ACB Media/Twitter

Hashmatullah Shahidi has made cricket history for Afghanistan, becoming the nation's first player to hit a Test double century.

The 26-year-old achieved the feat in just Afghanistan's sixth Test match, notching the double hundred on day two of their clash against Zimbabwe.

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Shahidi powered Afghanistan to their highest ever Test total, 4/545 - easily eclipsing their previous high mark of 342, which they scored against Bangladesh in 2019.

Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan declared, but not before smacking his own impressive total of 165 - which was also the record before Shahidi eclipsed it in the same innings.

Shadidi and Afghan's 307-run stand for the fourth wicket was also Afghanistan's largest batting partnership since their Test debut in 2018.

His teammates gave him a standing ovation upon reaching his double-century and Zimbabwe players also walked up to him to offer congratulations.

Shahidi faced 443 balls for his 200 not out, which included 21 boundaries and a six.

Zimbabwe, who had won the opening Test at the same venue inside two days, made a solid response to the massive total, reaching 50 without loss by the close.

Brathwaite named Windies Test captain

Kraigg Brathwaite has been named skipper of the West Indies Test team replacing Jason Holder, after impressing on the recent tour to Bangladesh.

Holder took on the role in 2015 and led the side to 11 wins in 37 Tests, but opted not to travel to Bangladesh for a recent Test series which the tourists won 2-0.

Fellow Barbadian Brathwaite deputised and was named by Cricket West Indies as their 37th Test captain in the early hours of Friday ahead of a home series against Sri Lanka.

Lead selector Roger Harper said: "We all believe that Kraigg is the right man to lead our Test side at this point in time and I'm delighted that he has accepted the role.

"In the recent Test series against Bangladesh, Kraigg was able to motivate his players to play to a very high level and create the culture we are looking to establish where the team showed a collective determination to fight and a real hunger for success."

Brathwaite, who has appeared in the UK for Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Glamorgan, added he was "proud and humbled" to be given the captaincy.

With AAP

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