Brendan Taylor hits 131 as Zimbabwe reach 326 for 5 in Sharjah
Zimbabwe post 326 for 5 on day one after Brendan Taylor's 131 in Sharjah.
Zimbabwe reached 326 for 5 at stumps on day one of the first Test against Afghanistan in Sharjah. Brendan Taylor scored 131 off 168 balls, while Brian Bennett remained unbeaten on 71 off 128 balls. Ben Curran made 42 and Innocent Kaia added 34.
Zia ur Rehman Akbar took 2 for 118 and Hashmatullah Shahidi claimed 1 for 24. Afghanistan used four bowlers in the attack. Brian Bennett was appointed Zimbabwe captain for the series.
Richard Ngarava missed the match due to injury. Antum Naqvi made his Test debut for Zimbabwe. Graeme Cremer returned to the Zimbabwe Test side after nearly nine years. Rashid Khan will miss the series to manage a back injury.
CricHubb Take
Zimbabwe's strong opening day shows how experience and new leadership can quickly restore stability after a period of transition.