Afghanistan fight back after Zimbabwe's 504 in Sharjah Test

Sediqullah Atal's unbeaten 55 and debutant Rahmanullah Zadran's 50 took Afghanistan to 113 for 1 at stumps on day two of the first Test in Sharjah, after Zimbabwe posted 504 built on centuries from Brendan Taylor and Brian Bennett.

Sediqullah Atal struck an unbeaten 55 and debutant Rahmanullah Zadran made 50 as Afghanistan reached 113 for 1 at stumps on day two in Sharjah, after Zimbabwe had posted 504.

By StoryTimesNow News Desk — 07 November 2026, 7:09 AM IST

Illustration of a batsman seen from behind at the crease under floodlights in a cricket stadium at dusk, symbolising a Test match in Sharjah. — Afghanistan fought back through Sediqullah Atal and Rahmanullah Zadran on day two in Sharjah. (Illustration: StoryTimesNow)

Key Takeaways

Zimbabwe posted 504, built on centuries from Brendan Taylor (131) and Brian Bennett (128) on his Test captaincy debut.
Afghanistan closed day two on 113 for 1, trailing by 391, after an unbroken 99-run stand between Atal (55 not out) and debutant Rahmanullah (50 not out).
Atal survived three chances in his first few balls, and play ended early after Rahmanullah was struck on the helmet by a Muzarabani bouncer and needed a concussion check.

Introduction

Sediqullah Atal and debutant Rahmanullah Zadran batted Afghanistan back into the first Test in Sharjah with an unbroken 99-run stand after Zimbabwe had piled up 504. Afghanistan closed day two on 113 for 1, trailing by 391.

Zimbabwe, resuming on 326 for 5, batted deep into the post-lunch session behind centuries from Brendan Taylor and Brian Bennett. Then Atal, dropped twice in his first two balls, made them pay with an unbeaten 55, while Rahmanullah marked his Test debut with a composed 50.

What Happened?

Zimbabwe began day two on 326 for 5 and kept building. Bennett, captaining Zimbabwe in a Test for the first time, reached his century in the 104th over and made 128, with a fifty from Wessly Madhevere carrying the total past 450. He was eventually caught by a diving Zia-ur-Rehman off Qais Ahmad.

Graeme Cremer, back in the Test side after nearly nine years, was 34 not out as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 504. Saleem Safi took 3 for 82 and Qais Ahmad 3 for 120.

Afghanistan's reply began with extraordinary good fortune for Atal: dropped first ball off Muzarabani at gully, dropped again off the very next ball by Kaia, and surviving a third chance at third slip after replays ruled in his favour. Nyamhuri soon removed Abdul Malik for 2, but that was Zimbabwe's only opening all evening.

Spinners operated from both ends from the 13th over on a wearing pitch. Atal twice hit Cremer for sixes down the ground. Rahmanullah punched the air on reaching his maiden fifty, and Atal followed him there with a hook for four off a bouncer.

Play ended slightly early in fading light after Rahmanullah was checked for concussion when a Muzarabani bouncer struck his helmet, and another bumper struck his forearm.

Why Does This Matter?

For Afghanistan, the stand changes the shape of the match. After conceding 504, a follow-on loomed. Instead, they lost just one wicket in 35 overs and have a platform to bat deep into day three.

For Atal, it is another step in a fast-rising Test career: he already has a 111 from 332 balls from Afghanistan's previous Test against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi, a fourth-innings escape. In Sharjah he rode his luck early, then attacked the spinners.

For Rahmanullah, a maiden Test fifty on debut, made through a testing final session and two painful blows, settles a young player. Zimbabwe will reflect that three dropped catches cost them dearly.

Important Details

First Test, Sharjah, 5 to 9 November 2026. Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat.

Innings	Score	Key performances
Zimbabwe, 1st innings	504 all out	Taylor 131, Bennett 128, Madhevere 50, Cremer 34 not out; Safi 3-82, Qais 3-120
Afghanistan, 1st innings	113 for 1 (35 overs)	Atal 55 not out (114 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes), Rahmanullah 50 not out (83 balls, 7 fours); Nyamhuri 1-10

Afghanistan trail by 391. They need 191 more runs to reach 304 and avoid the follow-on; the unbroken second-wicket stand is worth 99.

Background and Context

This is the opening match of a two-Test series at Sharjah. Afghanistan swept the Twenty20 series against the same opponents 3-0 and beat Zimbabwe in the UAE tri-series final in October.

Zimbabwe's innings was built on experience and a new leader: Taylor made 131 on day one, and Bennett, in his first Test as captain, made 128.

Atal was picked for the Balkh Zwanan squad in the Gold category at the Afghanistan Premier League draft in Dubai on 3 November 2026.

What Happens Next?

Play resumes on day three on Saturday, 7 November. Afghanistan's first task is to avoid the follow-on: 191 more runs will take them to 304. The longer they bat, the more pressure shifts onto Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe will take the new ball early and test the set pair again. If Afghanistan bat through most of the day, a draw looks likelier; if Zimbabwe strike early, the match opens up again.

What Readers Should Know

The first of two Tests, 5 to 9 November 2026, Sharjah Cricket Stadium; day three begins on Saturday morning. With nine wickets in hand, 113 for 1 is a start, not a verdict, and 304 is the follow-on line to watch.

FAQs

What is the score in the Afghanistan v Zimbabwe first Test?

Zimbabwe made 504. Afghanistan are 113 for 1 at stumps on day two, trailing by 391, with Atal on 55 not out and Rahmanullah on 50 not out.

Who is Rahmanullah Zadran?

He is the Afghanistan batter making his Test debut in this match. He reached his maiden Test fifty on day two, 50 not out from 83 balls with seven fours, in an unbroken 99-run stand with Sediqullah Atal.

What does Afghanistan need to avoid the follow-on?

The follow-on line is 304 (504 minus 200). Afghanistan, on 113 for 1, need 191 more runs to pass it.

Sources and Verification

Scores are as at stumps on day two, 6 November 2026, consistent across Cricbuzz, The Herald, the ESPNcricinfo scorecard and The Sports Encounter.

Cricbuzz — Atal, debutant Rahmanullah firm in response after Zimbabwe rack up 504 (6 November 2026)
The Herald — Bennett ton puts Zimbabwe on top (7 November 2026)
ESPNcricinfo — Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, 1st Test, Sharjah, live scorecard
The Sports Encounter — Zimbabwe Make 504, but Atal and Rahmanullah Fight Back (6 November 2026)
Afghanistan Premier League — Sediqullah Atal player profile (updated 6 November 2026)

Editorial Note

Scores are as at stumps on day two, 6 November 2026; the match continues on 7 November.

Atal, Rahmanullah fifties steady Afghanistan after Zimbabwe's 504