Craig Ervine hits maiden Test double ton as Zimbabwe play out high-scoring draw

By SABC Sport
9th November 2026

Craig Ervine struck a maiden Test double century at the age of 41 as Zimbabwe and Afghanistan played out a high-scoring draw in the first game of the two-match series in Sharjah.

Ervine was 206 not out, the third oldest double centurion in Test history, while Wessly Madhevere scored a maiden Test hundred to be unbeaten on exactly 100 as Zimbabwe batted the entire final day to be 523-5 in their second innings.

The African country surpassed 1000 runs in a Test match for the first time ever after amassing a total of 504 all out in their first innings, before Afghanistan replied strongly with 514 all out.

Zimbabwe started the fifth and final day on 164-3, a lead of 154, with captain Brian Bennett and Ervine at the crease.

Bennett got to 58, after scoring 128 in the first innings, but was bowled by Afghanistan seamer Mohammad Saleem.

Debutant Antum Naqvi walked to the crease and stroked a patient 61, adding a 140-run partnership with Ervine, before being dismissed by Abdul Malik.

Madhevere strode out at number 7 and added an unbeaten stand of 208 with Ervine, which is the highest stand for the sixth wicket in the team's history.

The second and final Test between the two sides begins on 13 November at the same venue.