Craig Ervine, Wessly Madhevere star as Zimbabwe draw opening Test against Afghanistan

The Result: The first Test between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in Sharjah ended in a draw, as expected on a completely unresponsive pitch that offered no assistance to the bowlers Ervine 206*, Madhevere 100* as Zimbabwe and Afganistan play out draw.

While Naqvi remained conservative throughout his stay - his first boundary coming off the 102nd ball he faced - Ervine put his sweeping skills to test throughout the day. He swept with great control on either of the pitch, often using his long-levers to drag the ball from wide outside off behind square.

He crossed the 100-run mark in the afternoon session after drinks, becoming only the second oldest man, behind Misbah-ul-Haq, to achieve the milestone since 2000. Naqvi took 110 balls to score his maiden Test half-century. The two added 140 runs off 253 balls for the fifth wicket as Shah threw the ball to his auxiliary bowlers to run down the clock.

Record-Breaking Knocks: Craig Ervine scored an unbeaten 206 off 279 balls—hitting 23 fours and two sixes—becoming the third oldest man to score a Test double-century Ervine 206*, Madhevere 100* as Zimbabwe and Afganistan play out draw. Wessly Madhevere also notched up his maiden Test century, finishing unbeaten as Zimbabwe batted through the entire fifth day Ervine 206*, Madhevere 100* as Zimbabwe and Afganistan play out draw.

Batting Dominance: Zimbabwe batted for over 122 overs in their second innings, finishing at 523 for 5 after posting 504 in their first innings Ervine 206*, Madhevere 100* as Zimbabwe and Afganistan play out draw. They became the only team to score totals of more than 500 in both innings of a Test match Ervine 206*, Madhevere 100* as Zimbabwe and Afganistan play out draw.

Afghanistan's Innings: In the first innings, Afghanistan posted 514, powered by centuries from Rahmat Shah (173), Rahmanullah (113), and Sediqullah Atal (105) Ervine 206*, Madhevere 100* as Zimbabwe and Afganistan play out draw. With the pitch heavily favoring batters, Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah utilized part-time spin late in the game to run down the clock and protect his frontline bowlers Ervine 206*, Madhevere 100* as Zimbabwe and Afganistan play out draw.