Ervine, Madhevere defy Afghanistan as Zimbabwe secure draw: 1st Test, Day 5 (Sharjah)

Veteran Craig Ervine posted a double hundred as Zimbabwe produced a remarkable batting performance on the final day of the first Test against Afghanistan, declaring their second innings at 523 for 5 to establish a substantial lead.

Ervine was the star of the innings, scoring an unbeaten 206 for his maiden Test double-century, while Wessly Madhevere celebrated his first Test hundred with an unbeaten 100.

Brian Bennett contributed 58 and Antum Naqvi added 61 as Zimbabwe became the first team in Test history to score more than 500 runs in both innings of a match.

Afghanistan faced a daunting fourth-innings target but the contest ultimately ended in a high-scoring draw. Their first-innings 514, highlighted by Rahmat Shah’s magnificent 173 and centuries from Rahmanullah Zadran and Sediqullah Atal, had given them a narrow lead over Zimbabwe’s 504.

Brendan Taylor was named Player of the Match for his outstanding contributions of 131 and 82. Both sides produced impressive batting displays in a match dominated by the batsmen.

Zimbabwe 504 (Taylor 131, Bennett 128*) and 523 for 5 (Ervine 206*, Madhevere 100*) drew with Afganistan 514 (Rahmat 173, Rahmanullah 113, Atal 105).

Nov 2026.