By Agencies
Zimbabwe became the first team in Test cricket history to score more than 500 runs in both innings of a match, achieving the landmark during their drawn first Test against Afghanistan at Sharjah on Monday.
Zimbabwe scored 504 in their first innings before piling up 523/5 in the second innings, with Craig Ervine and Wessly Madhevere remaining unbeaten on 206 and 100, respectively, at the end of the final day’s play on the fifth day.
Earlier, Zimbabwe resumed the final day at 164/3, with Ervine and Brian Bennett at the crease, after Afghanistan had secured a 10-run first-innings lead.
Bennett went on to score a half-century before being dismissed by Mohammad Saleem.
Debutant Antum Naqvi then contributed 61, sharing a 140-run partnership with Ervine before falling to Abdul Malik.
Madhevere joined Ervine at the crease, and the pair added an unbeaten 208 runs for the sixth wicket, the highest partnership for that wicket for Zimbabwe in Test cricket.
Madhevere also registered his maiden Test century.Afghanistan’s bowlers struggled to make inroads on a batting-friendly surface as Zimbabwe capitalised on the conditions to achieve the historic milestone.
The second Test between the sides will be played from November 13 to 17 at Sharjah.
