Brendan Taylor ton puts Zimbabwe in control on Day 1

On the first day of the one-time Test against Afghanistan in Sharjah, Brendan Taylor scored a fine century to put Zimbabwe in command. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the visitors posted 326 for 5 at the end of the day, led by captain Brian Bennett with 71 runs unbeaten and Wessly Madhevere with 29 runs at stumps.

On a fine batting surface, Zimbabwe made a steady start, with Innocent Kaia and Ben Curran adding 60 for the opening wicket. Kaia was given an early reprieve when Zia-ur-Rehman dropped him at fine leg off Mohammad Saleem Safi in the seventh over, but he could not make the most of it, edging Qais Ahmad to slip for 34.

Taylor started at No. 3 and quickly adjusted to the conditions, appearing particularly confident in opposition to the spin. Curran, meanwhile, took a more measured approach, occupying the crease and gradually finding his rhythm. The pair added 65 for the second wicket before Curran was bowled by an excellent yorker from Saleem for 42.

Afghanistan had to wait until after Lunch for their next breakthrough, as Taylor and Bennett tucked in to feast on the batting conditions on offer. Both batters played positively, keeping the scoreboard moving and making the most of a surface that offered turn but was slow enough to allow them time to negotiate the spin. Their third-wicket stand yielded 137 runs and put Zimbabwe firmly on course for a sizeable first-innings total.

Taylor continued his fluent innings after Tea and reached his hundred, but he was bowled out for 131 off 168 balls. Having taken a liking to Rahmat Shah's bowling, he attempted one shot too many and holed out to long-off, giving Afghanistan a much-needed breakthrough. His innings included 14 fours and four sixes.

Afghanistan took advantage of Taylor's dismissal by hitting twice more quickly, both of which resulted in wickets taken by spin. Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar gave up Craig Ervine for 4 and debutant Antum Naqvi for 9, putting Zimbabwe under pressure after they had looked like they were going to get a much bigger score.

In the absence of regular captain Richard Ngarava, Bennett is leading Zimbabwe, and despite the final strikes, he kept the innings together. When bad light forced an early end to the day's play, he continued his unbeaten streak of 71 off 128 balls and added an unbroken 39 with Madhevere to bring Zimbabwe's total to 326 for 5.

Earlier in the day, Zimbabwe welcomed back 40-year-old Graeme Cremer, who last played in December 2017, to the Test team. They'll hope he has more of a role to play in the fourth innings by when a little wear and tear ought to make the pitch tougher for batting.