Rahmanullah, Atal and Rahmat blunt Zimbabwe on third day

Centuries from debutant Rahmanullah and Sediqullah Atal, alongside an unbeaten 94 from captain Rahmat Shah, guided Afghanistan to 402 for 7 on day three in Sharjah. Despite the strong batting display, Afghanistan still trail Zimbabwe's first-innings total of 504 by 102 runs with three wickets remaining.

Rahmanullah and Atal established a record 206-run second-wicket partnership before Zimbabwe struck back across the afternoon and evening sessions. Pacer Newman Nyamhuri led the bowling attack with figures of 4 for 62, triggering a middle-order collapse before Rahmat steadied the innings late in the day.