Zimbabwe First to Pass 500 in Both Test Innings

Zimbabwe became the first team in Test cricket to score more than 500 runs in both innings of a match, drawing the first Test against Afghanistan at Sharjah after declaring its second innings at 523 for 5. The achievement followed a first-innings total of 504 and was completed on the fifth day, November 9, 2026.

Afghanistan had replied to Zimbabwe’s opening total with 514, giving it a 10-run first-innings lead. Zimbabwe resumed the final day at 164 for 3 and batted through the day, with Craig Ervine and Wessly Madhevere unbeaten when the innings ended. Ervine made 206 not out and Madhevere 100 not out.

The pair added an unbeaten 208 runs for the sixth wicket, the highest sixth-wicket partnership in Zimbabwe’s Test history, according to match reports. Madhevere’s century was his first in Test cricket. Ervine, aged 41 years and 82 days, became the third-oldest player to score a Test double century, behind Eric Rowan of South Africa and Jack Hobbs of England.

Zimbabwe’s final-day innings also included contributions from Brian Bennett and Antum Naqvi. Bennett scored a half-century before being dismissed by Mohammad Saleem. Naqvi, making his Test debut, made 61 and shared a 140-run...