Afghan Shahidi scores historic Test double-ton

Hashmatullah Shahidi has become the first Afghanistan player to post a Test match double hundred while his team smashed batting records on a memorable day two of their second and final match against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi.

Playing their sixth Test match, the Afghans racked up 4-545, their highest total ever on Thursday, before captain Asghar Afghan declared their first innings.

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.

Afghanistan's previous highest total had been 342 when they beat Bangladesh in 2019 to register their first Test victory.

The skipper Ashgar himself hit 164, which was briefly the highest Test total by an Afghan batsman until Shahidi eclipsed it.

Their 307-run fourth-wicket stand was also the biggest partnership for Afghanistan who played their first Test against India in 2018.

Shahidi took a single off Donald Tiripano to bring up his double hundred and celebrated it with a roar.

His teammates gave him a standing ovation and Zimbabwe players also walked up to him to offer congratulations.

Shahidi faced 443 balls and hit 21 fours and a six, and he batted 10 minutes short of 10 hours, a monumental innings of patience and dedication.

Australia, who currently have no scheduled Test engagements, could face the Afghans in their next Test match.

Afghanistan had been scheduled to play a one-off Test against Tim Paine's side before the series against India, but that was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and is expected to be played ahead of next summer's Ashes series.