Zimbabwe and Afghanistan played out a high-scoring draw in the first Test at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on 5–9 November 2026, but the match will be remembered for much more than the result. Zimbabwe became the first team in Test history to score 500 or more in both innings of a Test match, finishing on 504 and 523 for 5 against Afghanistan's 514, with Craig Ervine's unbeaten 206 the headline act.

The five days produced 1,541 runs, seven centuries and only 25 wickets, on a flat Sharjah surface that gave the bowlers almost nothing. The second and final Test of the series will also be played at Sharjah, starting on 13 November.

A record no team had managed before

No side had ever passed 500 in both innings of a Test match before Zimbabwe did it in Sharjah. Their two totals added up to 1,027 runs, Zimbabwe's highest aggregate in a Test, and only the seventh time any team has passed 1,000 runs in a single Test match.

Four Zimbabwe batters reached three figures — Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine and Wessly Madhevere — while Afghanistan had three centurions of their own in Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah and Rahmat Shah. Afghanistan took a slender 10-run lead on the first innings, but Zimbabwe batted through the final day to finish 513 runs ahead when time ran out.

Ervine's marathon double hundred

Craig Ervine began the final day on 20, with Zimbabwe on 164 for 3 and 154 runs ahead, and batted through the entire day to finish unbeaten on 206 off 279 balls, with 23 fours and two sixes. It was his maiden Test double hundred, and he also crossed 2,000 Test runs during the innings.

At 41 years and 82 days, Ervine became the third-oldest player to score a Test double hundred, behind South Africa's Eric Rowan and England's Jack Hobbs. Captain Brian Bennett scored 58 before being bowled by Mohammad Saleem, and debutant Antum Naqvi made a patient 61 in a 140-run stand with Ervine.

When Naqvi fell, Wessly Madhevere walked in at No. 7 and added an unbeaten 208 with Ervine — the highest stand for the sixth wicket in Zimbabwe's history. Madhevere also reached his maiden Test century, finishing on 100 not out off 108 balls.

Afghanistan's reply: three centuries and a 10-run lead

Zimbabwe had won the toss and batted first, posting 504 on the back of Taylor's 131 off 168 balls and Bennett's 128 off 206, with Madhevere adding 54. Taylor and Bennett shared a 137-run stand for the third wicket.

Afghanistan matched them stroke for stroke. Sediqullah Atal made 105 and Rahmanullah scored 113 in a 206-run stand for the second wicket, before captain Rahmat Shah anchored the rest of the innings with 173 off 347 balls — the longest innings of the match. Afghanistan finished on 514, a lead of just 10 runs.

Newman Nyamhuri was Zimbabwe's best bowler, taking 5 for 82 for his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket and the only five-wicket haul of the match. Graeme Cremer took 3 for 177 in a 55-over spell, while Blessing Muzarabani claimed 1 for 93.

Taylor named Player of the Match

Brendan Taylor was named Player of the Match for his twin contributions of 131 in the first innings and a brisk 82 off 88 balls in the second — 213 runs in the match. His second-innings knock ended in a run out, one of two run outs in the match along with Rahmanullah's 113.

Match summary

Brief scores: Zimbabwe 504 (Brendan Taylor 131, Brian Bennett 128, Wessly Madhevere 54; Mohammad Saleem 3-82, Qais Ahmad 3-120) and 523/5 (Craig Ervine 206 not out, Wessly Madhevere 100 not out, Brendan Taylor 82, Antum Naqvi 61, Brian Bennett 58; Zia-ur-Rehman 2-173) drew with Afghanistan 514 (Rahmat Shah 173, Rahmanullah 113, Sediqullah Atal 105; Newman Nyamhuri 5-82, Graeme Cremer 3-177). Player of the Match: Brendan Taylor. Zimbabwe won the toss and batted first. 1st Test, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, 5–9 November 2026.

FAQs

What is the record Zimbabwe set in Sharjah?

Zimbabwe became the first team in Test history to score 500 or more in both innings of a Test match — 504 in the first innings and 523 for 5 in the second.

How many runs did Craig Ervine score?

Craig Ervine finished unbeaten on 206 off 279 balls, with 23 fours and two sixes. It was his maiden Test double hundred.

How old is Craig Ervine?

Ervine is 41 years and 82 days old, making him the third-oldest player to score a Test double hundred, behind South Africa's Eric Rowan and England's Jack Hobbs.

Who was named Player of the Match?

Brendan Taylor, for his 131 in the first innings and 82 off 88 balls in the second — 213 runs in the match.

When is the second Test?

The second and final Test between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe begins on 13 November 2026, also at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Conclusion

The first Test in Sharjah was a run-fest that the bowlers will want to forget and the batters will never forget. Zimbabwe's twin 500-plus totals are a first in Test history, and Craig Ervine's unbeaten 206 at 41 was the perfect way to crown it. Afghanistan will take heart from their own batting — three centuries and a first-innings lead — but with the series level at 0–0, the second Test from 13 November is where this remarkable series will be decided.

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Sources: ICC — Record-filled batting display helps Zimbabwe secure draw