Hashmatullah (86*) then constructed a 186 run stand with captain Asghar Afghan (106*) for the fourth wicket, seeing the day off for Afghanistan
Afghanistan got off to a flying start in the second Test against Zimbabwe in the two-match series as they finished day one at 307/3.
Afghanistan elected to bat first after winning the toss at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Zimbabwe picked up Javed Ahmadi in the second over as Victor Nyauchi got the opener caught at third slip. 19-year old Ibrahim Zadran then added 50 runs for the second wicket with Rahmat Shah before the latter was run-out in the 15th over.
Ibrahim continued the march as he added another 65 runs with Hashmatullah Shahidi, also getting to his half-century in the process. Zimbabwe got their third breakthrough when Ryan Burl picked the Afghan opener at 72. Sikandar Raza, at first slip, juggled briefly, before completing a low catch to remove the batsman for 72.
Hashmatullah (86*) then constructed a 186 run stand with captain Asghar Afghan (106*) for the fourth wicket, seeing the day off for Afghanistan, who are 1-0 down in the two-Test match series.
Afghanistan skipper scored his maiden Test century, becoming only the second player to score a Test ton for his country. Hashmatullah has the opportunity to become the third on day two and get his team into an even stronger position.
For Zimbabwe, having won the first Test by 10 wickets, the battle to contain their opposition may get tougher as the surface begins to offer more turn, bringing Rashid Khan and co. into the game.