Rahmat Shah has registered a Test record score for an Afghanistan cricketer with an unbeaten double century to lift his team to 2-425 runs at stumps on the third day of the first Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club.

Afghanistan, who were 2-95 overnight in Bulawayo, took full advantage of a raft of dropped catches as Rahmat and his captain Hashmatullah Shahidi batted through Saturday, withstanding 95 overs.

Their partnership is now in its 103rd over, and worth 361, the pair having come together at 2-64.

Rahmat was 49 not out overnight and broke Hashmatullah's record of 200 not out, set against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi in 2021, as he finished the day unbeaten on 231.

His skipper played a supporting role as he scored a second Test century, and will resume on Sunday 141 not out.

Afghanistan cut their 395-run deficit to 161 runs on a day of attrition for the home bowlers.

Zimbabwe had three players who made centuries in their 586 first innings score.