Sharjah: Zimbabwe batter Craig Ervine created history during the ongoing first Test against Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, becoming the oldest Zimbabwean to score a Test century.
At 41 years and 82 days, Ervine broke the record set by Brendan Taylor earlier in the same match. He scored his fifth Test hundred during the second innings of the opening Test against Afghanistan.
Ervine is now the second-oldest batter to score a Test century in the 21st century, behind Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq, who was 42 years and 47 days old when he scored 114 against England at Lord’s in 2016.
Taylor had earlier become Zimbabwe’s oldest Test centurion in the same match, scoring 131 off 168 balls in the first innings. Zimbabwe posted 504, with captain Brian Bennett also scoring a century with 128 runs.
Ervine also crossed the 2,000-run mark in Test cricket during the match, becoming the seventh Zimbabwean batter to achieve the milestone.
Zimbabwe-Afghanistan Test Heading for Draw
The first Test between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan is heading towards a draw, with Zimbabwe at 372/5 at tea on Day 5. With only one session remaining, the match appears unlikely to produce a result.
Zimbabwe scored 504 in their first innings, led by centuries from Taylor and Bennett, while Wessly Madhevere contributed a half-century.
Afghanistan responded with 514 to take a 10-run lead. Sediqullah Atal scored 105, Rahmanullah Zadran made 113, and captain Rahmat Shah led the innings with 173.
Zimbabwe continued their strong batting performance in the second innings, with Taylor scoring 82 and Bennett making 58 before Ervine reached his hundred. Antum Naqvi also contributed 62 runs.