Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
The first Test between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe has produced more than 1,500 runs, including six centuries and one double century, but ended in a flat draw as Zimbabwe chose not to declare on an unresponsive pitch.
Veteran Craig Ervine and allrounder Wessly Madhevere chalked up an unbeaten partnership of 208 runs as they achieved personal milestones.
At the age of 41, Ervine scored his first Test double hundred and was unbeaten on 206. He was the first player aged above 40 to make a double-hundred since Graham Gooch in 1994, and the second in 75 years.
“When I did get to 100, I never thought that 200 was on the cards, and I obviously just tried to accumulate as much as I could throughout the day,” he said. “It’s rewarding for all the hard work and effort that you put in with training.”
Offspinner Madhevere got his first Test century batting and finished 100 not out in Zimbabwe’s second-innings total of 5-523, the innings declared once he reached the hundred.
With the second and final Test starting on Friday, also in Sharjah, Zimbabwe opted to put miles into the legs of the Afghanistan bowlers and fielders. Afghanistan responded by protecting their pacers and utilising part-timers, not taking the new ball even after 122 overs.
Zia Ur Rahman Akbar took 2-173 in 50 overs, following his 2-170 off 46 over in the first innings.
Zimbabwe had resumed on Monday at 3-164 and soon lost skipper Brian Bennett, bowled Mohammad Saleem for 58. Debutant Antum Naqvi joined Irvine and the game slowed.
After Naqvi was out for 61 in three hours Madhevere and Irvine scored more freely
Earlier Brendan Taylor made 131 and Bennett 128 as Zimbabwe posted 504 in their first innings.
Afghanistan responded with 514 and centuries from opener Sediqullah Atal (105), No. 3 batter Rahmanullah (113) and captain Rahmat Shah (173) batting at No. 4.
“It was a very proud moment for myself and my family to lead Zimbabwe for the first time,” said Bennett.
“It was quite difficult to take 20 wickets out there, and it certainly made the job a bit tougher,” he added. “We thought it would perhaps offer a bit more turn toward the back end of the Test match but it did not break up much, and there were not many cracks in the wicket, which we certainly did not expect.”
