Zimbabwe held their own with the willow and overcame Afghanistan's bowling in good batting conditions, notching up several landmarks on the way. The game finished in a draw, keeping both teams alive ahead of the second Test, which will also be played at Sharjah from 13 November.

Craig Ervine (206*) and Wessly Madhevere (100*) remained unbeaten at the end of the final day's play as Zimbabwe finished at 523/5, to go with 504 in their first innings. This is the only occasion when a side has scored more than 500 runs in each innings of a Test.

Afghanistan's bowlers toiled but there was little help to be found on surface, and Zimbabwe's batters made sure to make most of the circumstances.

At 41 years and 82 days, Ervine became the third-oldest player to score a Test double hundred when he smashed Abdul Malik for a boundary in the 119th over, behind South Africa's Eric Rowan and England's Jack Hobbs.

Earlier in the day, Zimbabwe began at 164/3 with Brian Bennett and Ervine at the crease. Afghanistan had taken a 10-run lead in the first innings and needed quick breakthroughs to make a contest out of the game. But Zimbabwe's batters dug in deep and batted with discipline.

Bennett scored a half-century but was bowled by Mohammad Saleem. Debutant Antum Naqvi walked out and displayed patience to score a fighting 61, adding a stand of 140 with Ervine. But the batter eventually fell to Abdul Malik and the Afghans thought they had a chance.

But Madhevere walked in at No.7 and added an unbeaten stand of 208 with Ervine, which is the highest stand for the sixth wicket in the team's history. During the partnership, Madhevere also scored his maiden Test century.

The second and final Test between the two sides begins on 13 November.