Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe AFG and ZIM in UAE, 2 Tests, 2026, Full Score Card

Huge relief on the face of Wessly Madhevere as he brings up his MAIDEN TEST HUNDRED. Dragged shorter around leg, skidding through quite low. Madhevere rocks back to pull but cue-ends it to the left of short fine leg. The fielder dives and makes a half stop but that's enough for Madhevere to pinch a single. He leaps up in the air in elation.

Floated up on the pads, clipped away gently to the left of short fine leg for a single. Madhevere is now on 99.

Ah, that was a chance to bring up the ton. Too full and down the leg side, Madhevere sits down and goes hard at the sweep but misses.

No way through the infield again. Good length on leg, Madhevere rocks back and forces it away wide of mid on.

Flighted ball on leg stump, Madhevere defends it back to the bowler.

Full and down leg, Madhevere goes down for the sweep but hits it straight to short fine leg.

Nagging length on leg, Madhevere hops back and across to the leg side, jabbing it out to mid on.

Tossed up on leg stump, Madhevere takes the front leg out and drives it to wide long on for the fifth single in this over. Madhevere now moves on to 98.

Tossed up on off, driven wide of mid off for an easy single.

Good length on leg, turning in. Madhevere rocks back again and flicks it through backward square leg for another single.

Pushed through flatter and on leg, Madhevere presses back and works it to the on side.

Full and on leg, Ervine lunges and paddles it down to fine leg for one more.

Short of a good length, turning in from middle. Madhevere rocks back and jams it down to the right of long on for a single.

Tossed up on middle, Ervine leans forward to defend.

Dragged length around leg, holding a bit in the deck. Madhevere hops back to work it leg side but misses and the ball brushes off his pads to short third. The batters pick up a leg bye.

Flighted delivery on middle and leg, turning away. Madhevere backs away and drives with the spin, uppishly and wide of long off for a couple of quick runs.

Floated up down leg, this is paddled gently 'round the corner on the leg side for a single.

Tossed up on the pads, Madhevere sits down and sweeps it away through square leg for a single.

No run, the batter has just watchfully blocked this out.

FOUR! There it is! Finally, Craig Ervine gets it through the packed off side field and notches up a maiden DOUBLE HUNDRED. Ervine punches the air in absolute delight and takes off the helmet to soak in all the applause from the dugout. Short and outside off, Ervine rocks back and cuts it hard between pointn and cover, and the ball rolls away into the fence.

Tossed up on off stump, Ervine leans on to defend.

Good length again, outside off, Ervine rocks back and punches it away to the cover fielder.

Bowled flatter and outside off, Craig Ervine leans back and cuts it straight to backward point.

Flighted up on middle and leg, Madhevere employs the reverse-sweep now, hitting it to deep point for a single.

Floated up, Madhevere picks the lin early, sits down and plays a hard sweep, to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. Madhevere is into the 90s now.

Another short delivery, on leg, Craig Ervine works it to square leg again.

Goes short, around leg, Wessly Madhevere nudges it through square leg for one.

Tossed up, full and on leg, Craig Ervine drills it towards mid on for a quick single.

Shorter in length and on leg, Craig Ervine moves back and flicks it to square leg.

Flighted, full and around leg, Craig Ervine clips it to square leg.

Floated, full and on leg, Craig Ervine tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Dragged back, around off, Wessly Madhevere slaps it wide of sweeper cover for a brace.

Flighted, full and on off, Craig Ervine drills it to long off for one. 500 UP FOR ZIMBABWE!

A bit short, on middle and leg, Wessly Madhevere tucks it through mid-wicket for another run.

Floated, full and on off, Wessly Madhevere goes down for the reverse sweep but misses. He loses his balance but gets his back foot ground before the keeper breaks the stumps.

Tossed up, full and on off, Craig Ervine drives it to long off for a run.

Short and around off, Wessly Madhevere punches it through covers for a single.

Dragged back, on middle, Wessly Madhevere nudges it through mid-wicket for one.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Wessly Madhevere tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Flatter, full and on off, Wessly Madhevere drives it through covers for a brace.

Tossed up, full and on middle and leg, Wessly Madhevere goes for the sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Flighted, full and on middle, Wessly Madhevere tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Floated, full and on off, Wessly Madhevere goes down for the reverse sweep but it lobs up off his gloves. The keeper dives to his left but the ball goes over him.

DRINKS! Well, the result of this Test match isn't in doubt anymore, and it hasn't been for a while now. However, Zimbabwe are making Afghanistan toil long and hard in the field, and that's perfectly fine because there's another Test match between these two nations in a few days' time. Also, the bigger reason for the game still dragging on is that Craig Ervine is in sight of a double ton, and Wessly Madhevere is in sight of a century, so probably Zimbabwe are waiting to see whether both batters can get to those individual milestones or not.

Flatter, full and on middle, Wessly Madhevere drills it down to long on for one more.

Floated, full and on off, Craig Ervine pushes it through covers for one.

Flighted, full and around leg, Craig Ervine goes down and scoops it towards fine leg for a brace. He moves to 195 now.

Tossed up, full and on off, Wessly Madhevere backs away and lobs it to long off for a single.

Short and outside off, Wessly Madhevere cuts it away wide of deep point for a brace.

Short and on middle, turns in, Wessly Madhevere pats it to short mid-wicket.

Shorter in length and around off, Wessly Madhevere punches it through covers for one.

Massive shout for LBW, but turned down! Slows it up, full and on middle and leg, turns away. Craig Ervine gets low for the reverse sweep but misses as the ball goes off his pads behind the keeper. Leg bye taken. It looks pretty straight but the umpire is indication it pitched outside leg.

FOUR! Gets it away! A bit quicker, full and around leg. Craig Ervine goes down to swipe it across the line but gets an inside edge that flies to the vacant deep square leg fence for a boundary.

Flighted, full and on middle, Wessly Madhevere goes down and reverse paddles it towards third man for a single.

Floated, full and on off, Wessly Madhevere drives it firmly but straight to short cover.

Tossed up, full and on off, Wessly Madhevere pushes it away to short cover.

Goes short and on middle, Wessly Madhevere backs away and punches it through cover for one.

Flatter, full and on middle, Craig Ervine goes down and sweeps it to deep square leg for one.

FOUR! Up and over! Flighted, full and around off. Craig Ervine uses his feet to go inside out and lofts it beautifully over extra covers for a boundary.

Floated, full and on middle, Wessly Madhevere jams it out to long on for another run.

Tossed up, full and on off, Craig Ervine drives it down to long off for a run.

Shorter in length and around off, Wessly Madhevere slaps it to sweeper cover for a single.

Slows it up, full and on off, Craig Ervine looks to clip it away but toe-ends it towards short mid-wicket.

Flatter, full and around leg, Wessly Madhevere goes down and paddles it through backward square leg for one more.

Drops it short, on middle, Craig Ervine moves back and swats it wide of long on for one.

Flighted, full and on off, Wessly Madhevere drives it through covers for another run.

Floated, full and on off, Craig Ervine drives it away to long off for a run.

Tossed up, full and around off, Wessly Madhevere tries to go inside-out and loft it over extra cover but gets it off the bottom half of the bat down to long off for a single.

Fires this one, full and on the pads, Craig Ervine clips it through square leg for a couple of runs.

Dragged back, on off, turns in. Wessly Madhevere backs away and cuts it through point.

Quicker, short and turning down the leg side, Wessly Madhevere tries to heave it away but misses.

Flatter, full and around leg, Craig Ervine goes down and swipes it through square leg for a single.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Craig Ervine blocks it out.

Floated, full and on middle, Wessly Madhevere goes down the and reverse paddles it through backward point for a single.

A slight halt as players take quick refreshments, but the umpires are telling everyone to get on with the proceedings. The second new ball has now been pulled out by the on-field umpire for a bit, but it hasn't been taken yet and it goes back into the pocket. Also, Sediqullah Atal is now introduced into the attack, the 8th bowler used by Afghanistan in this innings.

Full and darted into the pads, Madhevere nudges it behind square leg and picks up a single.

Nagging length around off, tapped down into the off side for a single.

Tossed up on the stumps, Madhevere goes for the lofted shot, but miscues it over the mid off region for a single.

Angled well into the batter, Madhevere backs away but still gets cramped for room and pokes it out on the off side.

FOUR! Another aggressive stroke from Madhevere. Tossed up around off, not all that full, but Madhevere steps out and forces the lofted shot over extra cover, picking up a boundary.

Quicker one around off, jammed into the off side by Madhevere.

A bit of cat and mouse between the bowler and the batter. Full and quick, wide of the off stump. Ervine sets up for the reverse but has to adjust and ends up trying to play a late dab. He pulls out of the shot and lays flat on his stomach in the pitch.

Good running. Full and around off, reverse-swept by Madhevere straight to short third, but the batters manage to scamper through for a run.

SIX! That's been powered away over the ropes. A tad short again, on middle and leg, Madhevere rocks back and whacks the pull over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Shorter in length, turning in from outside off. Madhevere hops back and slams it down to cover.

Ooh, that's well bowled, but Ervine manages to get some bat on it. Shahidi sees Ervine stepping out and floats it a mile outside off. Ervine just about reaches it and edges it down to deep third for a single.

Just out of reach. Nice and full, at the stumps. Madhevere goes for the reverse sweep and ends up getting a top edge that lobs back over the keeper's head. Ikram Alikhil turns around and scampers after it, putting in a dive as well, but the ball falls out of his reach. Single taken.

FOUR! Uppish, but in the gap, and it runs away to the fence as well. Floated up on the stumps, Ervine sits down and plays the reverse sweep, wide of the backward point fielder and picks up a boundary.

Lobbed up high in the air, very full and on middle. Ervine stabs it into the deck and back to the bowler.

Pushed through quicker and on the pads, this is nudged away behind square leg for a single.

Full and down leg, half-swept to the left of short fine leg for a single.

Tossed up around middle and leg, Ervine reverses it through short third and picks up yet another brace.

Good length on off, punched off the back foot, with a straight bat and down to long off for a single.

Quicker and flatter, jammed off the back oot and down to long on for a single.

Floated up a bit full, on the stumps and this is nudged away to mid-wicket.

There's that cheeky paddle again, and Wessly Madhevere brings up back-to-back FIFTIES in this Test match. Flighted up at the stumps, Madhevere lunges inside the line and paddles it down to fine leg for a couple of runs.

Tossed up at the stumps, Ervine steps out and heaves it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Ervine has been prolific in sweeping the ball this innings. Tossed up around off, Ervine sits down and shovels the reverse sweep through backward point, picking up a boundary.

Full and on the pads, this is swept away through the fine leg region for a couple of runs by Ervine.

DROPPED! Would you believe it? It's Rahmat Shah again, the same man who dropped Craig Ervine on naught yesterday, and now he's dropped him again on 163. Floated up around off, Ervine goes for a cross-batted heave but hits it flat and to mid-wicket, where Shah hops up a bit and spills a regulation catch. Single taken.

Tossed up on off stump, Madhevere is early into the drive and punches it uppishly to the left of the bowler and down to long off for a single.

A bit more flighted and around leg, swept through backward square leg for a single.

Darted into the pads again, Ervine rocks back to flick but plays all around it and gets hit on the legs.

Targeting the pads of the batter, Ervine flicks it straight to leg gully.

Full and straight, Madhevere employs the on drive, drilling it down to long on for a single.

Just short! Could the fielder have put in a dive? Nah, looks like it was a tad too far away. On a length, sliding it back in from outside off. Craig Ervine goes for the reverse sweep but gets a top edge that lobs to the right of short third and falls safely.

Floated up a bit wider now, and Ervine hits the drive straight to extra cover.

Flighted delivery around off, drifting back onto the stumps. Ervine drives it back to the bowler.

Full and straight, eased down to long on for a single.

A bit more energy on this delivery. Slightly fuller, turning quickly into the pads. Madhevere rocks back and stabs it out to wide mid on.

Easy two on offer. Shorter and over middle, turning in. Madhevere rocks back and tucks it down with a vertical bat past the mid-wicket fielder, picking up two runs in the deep.

Pushed through at the stumps, staying a bit low. Ervine hops back and covers the line, blocking it off.

Fuller one on leg stump, Ervine leans forward and clips it to the fielder at straight mid-wicket.

Good length, wide of the off stump. Madhevere leans onto the back foot and smacks it to deep point for a single.

Pushed through flatter, angled into the stumps. Madhevere shuffles to the off side and laps it down to fine leg for a couple of runs.

Fired in, full and on the pads. Ervine clips the lo full toss to deep square leg and rotates strike. Ervine has now moved to 160.

Wide! Negative line again from Kamal, and the umpire signals a wide. Flatter one, angling down leg and Ervine misses the flick. The umpire then has a chat with the bowler and the Afghan skipper.

That's wayward from Kamal, but he gets away with it. Quicker and into the pitch, spilled a long way down leg and the keeper does well to get a hand on it.

Flighted delivery on off, turning in. Madhevere flicks it across to mid-wicket.

Pretty full, on middle and leg, and this is pushed down to long on for a single.

Excellent fielding, but that's lazy running between the wickets. Floated up, very full and around off. Ervine hammers the drive to the right of mid off and the batters start jogging. However, the fielder throws himself across and makes a stop, and the batters track back quickly.

Tossed up, full and around off, and this is driven on the full past extra cover for a single.

Fuller delivery on off, Madhevere yet again goes across for the lap and gets a bit of bat on it. Ikram Alikhil pre-empts well and moves to the leg side but the ball goes past him quickly and down to fine leg for two runs. Zimbabwe's lead has now gone past 400 runs.

On a length and angled into the stumps, Madhevere gets a stride across an laps it down to fine leg for a couple of runs more.

Flighted delivery on the pads, Ervine comes forward and clips it across to mid-wicket.

FOUR! A tad shorter in length, around off, and just sits up for the batter. Craig Ervine leans back to the off side and swats it firmly in front of mid-wicket for a boundary.

Flatter delivery on the pads, turning down leg. Ervine tickles it 'round the corner on the leg side and picks up a couple of runs.

Flighted delivery outside off, Ervine leans across and strokes it to cover.

Fuller delivery down the leg side, Ervine leans on and looks to flick it away but misses. The keeper fumbles the ball as well.

Very full and around off, Craig Ervine ends up jamming the drive back to the bowler.

Tossed up at the stumps, Ervine comes forrward and drives it to long on for a single.

Pushed through quicker, and Ervine pushes it down to mid off.

Floated fuller and around off, this is eased away to cover.

On a length, sliding into the batter, and Ervine clips it to the leg side.

Good length on the stumps, Madhevere presses back and punches it down to long on for a single. 400 up for Zimbabwe.

Floated up on the pads, Madhevere works it away to square leg.

Good length at the stumps, punched down to long on for a single by Madhevere. After 100 overs, Zimbabwe are 399/5.

FOUR! Quicker one, slightly short and angled into the batter. Madhevere rocks back and pounces on it, hoicking it down through the mid-wicket region for a boundary.

No run, played towards mid wicket.

SIX! Short and punished! Dragged down over middle and leg, Wessly Madhevere rocks back and lines up the pull, tonking the ball over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Good length at the stumps, Madhevere tucks it to mid-wicket.

Tossed up, full and on off, Madhevere leans on to defend.

No run, played towards covers.

No run.

Good work in the deep. Nice and full on off, reverse-lapped down to deep third. Mohammad Saleem runs to his left and puts in a big dive to save the boundary. Three taken.

No run, played towards mid on.

Held back a bit, bowling it around off. Madhevere sets up for the reverse and waits well before paddling it through the third man region. The keeper Ikram Alikhil chases after it and keeps it down to two runs.

No ball! Drifted onto the pads, Ervine plays a cheeky paddle sweep, 'round the corner on the leg side and picks up a single. Also, a No Ball is called as Hashmatullah Shahidi has overstepped.

Flatter one on middle and leg, Ervine rocks back again and whips it to the left of mid-wicket, picking up a single. That will be 150 for Craig Ervine, and what a knock this has been - absolutely brilliant.

FOUR! Nicely done by Ervine. A half-tracker on leg stump, Ervine swivels back and angles the sweep behind leg gully and the ball races away to the fence.

Good length around off, Madhevere backs away and taps it wide of cover-point for one more.

Flatter and around off, barely skimming the surface. Ervine rocks back and works it to the right of backward square leg for a run.

Flighted ball, going down leg, Ervine sits down and sweeps it into the turf, and the ball lobs up to leg gully.

Looped up high and over the batter's eyeline. Madhevere leans on and clips it down to the right of long on for a single.

Who will bowl from the other end? It will be Shahidullah Kamal.

A lot more air on this one, lobbing it full and around off. Ervine blocks it to extra cover.

Flighted up, a bit slower and straighter. Ervine lunges and blocks it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, full and on off stump. Ervine defends it to the off side.

Over the wicket to the right-hander, fractionally short and turning it into the pads. Madhevere stas back and tucks it to deep square leg for a single.

Nice and full, on off stump. Craig Ervine drives it down to long off and rotates strike.

On a full-ish length around off, trying to spin it away. Ervine punches it to short extra cover.

We are back for the final session of this Test match. The umpires are the first ones out in the middle. The Afghan players can be seen forming a huddle before taking their places on the field. Craig Ervine is back out alongside Wessly Madhevere, and the duo is set to resume their stay at the crease. Hashmatullah Shahidi will start proceedings with the ball after Tea. Let's play...

... DAY 5, SESSION ...

Ervine and Naqvi pile on the runs - Craig Ervine and Antum Naqvi carried on from where they left off, keeping the scoreboard moving with smart strike rotation and positive strokeplay. Ervine reached his fifth Test hundred, becoming the second-oldest player to score a Test century, while Naqvi celebrated his maiden Test fifty. Their 140-run stand finally ended when Abdul Malik dismissed Naqvi. Afghanistan had their moments, with a few edges falling short of the fielders, but an inconsistent line and length meant they struggled to build any sustained pressure. Ervine, unbeaten on 143, could now set his sights on a double hundred if Zimbabwe bat on, though an early handshake between the captains remains a possibility.

10.41 am GMT - TEA, DAY 5! SESSION SUMMARY - 120 runs and 2 wickets in 30 overs! Another session dominated by the batters as Zimbabwe stretched their lead to 362 runs. While a declaration might have been expected after crossing 300, their approach suggests they are intent on batting the day out. A draw now appears the most likely outcome, unless the Chevrons declare and their bowlers produce something extraordinary. Join us at 11 am GMT for the last session.

Full again, on leg stump. Craig Ervine gets inside the line and sweeps it off the inside edge, just past the leg slip fielder and picks up a single. That will be Tea on Day 5.

Nagging length around leg stump, Ervine keeps it out.

Gets away with that one, does Kamal. Way too full and down leg, Craig Ervine sweeps it on the full but hits it straight to Hashmatullah Shahidi at leg gully.

On a dragged length and around off, Madhevere backs away and eases it through the cover region for a single.

Looped up at the stumps, dipping on the batter. Madhevere clips it to mid on.

Nicely flighted on middle, not all that full, but Madhevere pushes at it off the back foot, hitting it uppishly toward mid on.

Round-arm delivery, sliding it into the stumps. Madhevere stays solid in defence.

Floated up around leg stump, worked away off the back foot and through the square leg region for one more.

Good length around middle, punched back past the non-striker and down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Another freebie and Madhevere puts it away with ease. Dragged down over middle, Madhevere goes on the bck foot and tonks the pull over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Slightly shorter on leg, Madhevere rocks back and flicks it away behind square leg for a single.

On a length and around leg, Wessly Madhevere hops onto the back foot and tucks it short mid-wicket.

Lobbed up, full and outside off. Ervine leans on to defend. Shahidullah Kamal starts with a maiden.

Pushed through quicker on leg stump, Ervine rocks back and punches it down to mid on.

Floated up fuller this time, at the stumps, Ervine lunges and blocks it off.

Bowled a bit flatter on off and middle, staying low. Craig Ervine goes deep in the crease to defend.

Nice and full, on off stump, blocked off the front foot by Ervine.

Flighted ball, on a length and around off. Ervine defends it to the off side.

Short and around off, Wessly Madhevere punches it to extra cover.

Floated, full and on off, Craig Ervine drives it through covers for one.

Dragged back, on off, Craig Ervine pats it down the pitch.

SIX! Short and punished! Abdul Malik bowls a half-tracker, on middle. Craig Ervine latches onto it and whacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence for another biggie.

FOUR! A boundary now! Tossed up, full and around off. Craig Ervine skips down the track, gets his hands through the shot and smashes it wide of mid off for four more runs.

SIX! Goes all the way! Flighted, full and on middle. Craig Ervine clears his front leg away and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 350 up for Zimbabwe!

Flatter, full and on leg, Craig Ervine drills it to long on for one.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Craig Ervine defends it on the front foot.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Craig Ervine knocks it down the pitch.

FOUR! Nicely done! Flighted, full and around leg. Craig Ervine goes down and swipes it away wide of short fine for a boundary.

Floated, full and on middle, Craig Ervine blocks it out.

Flatter, short and on leg, keeps low, Craig Ervine moves back and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Another shorter one, on middle, Wessly Madhevere keeps it out to the leg side.

Uppish but safe! Slows it up, full and on off. Craig Ervine looks to drive but hits it aerially. It goes just wide of Rahmat Shah at short cover for one.

FOUR! Fine shot! Shorter in length and around middle. Craig Ervine picks up the length early, moves back and heaves it to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

Short again, on leg, Wessly Madhevere works it to mid-wicket for a single.

Goes short, on middle, Wessly Madhevere moves back and nudges it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Flatter, full and on leg, Wessly Madhevere clips it to short mid-wicket.

Back to the shorter length, on off, Craig Ervine dabs it down to point.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Craig Ervine pushes it back to the bowler.

Dragged back, on leg, Craig Ervine nudges it towards mid-wicket.

A bit short, on leg, Craig Ervine flicks it to square leg again.

Tossed up, full and on leg again, Craig Ervine tucks it to square leg.

Floated, full and on leg, Craig Ervine goes down and paddles it but fails to beat leg slip.

Dragged back, around off, Craig Ervine punches it to sweeper cover for a run.

Floated, full and on off, Craig Ervine taps it to short cover.

Short and outside off, Craig Ervine cuts it to point.

Short again, on leg, Wessly Madhevere nudges it through square leg for a run.

A bit short, on middle, Wessly Madhevere pats it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, full and on leg, Craig Ervine tucks it through square leg for a single.

Slows it up, full and on off, Wessly Madhevere defends it on the front foot.

The fourth umpire comes out with the briefcase of balls, but the old one has been retrieved.

SIX! That is outta here! A half-tracker, around middle. Wessly Madhevere rocks back quickly and swats it over the long on fence and it goes into the roof and out of the park for a biggie.

Flighted, full and on middle, Wessly Madhevere defends it on the front foot.

Uppish but safe! Flighted, full and on middle, Wessly Madhevere chips it in the air but it drops in front of short mid-wicket.

Floated, full and on middle, Wessly Madhevere blocks it down the pitch.

Tossed up, full and on off, Craig Ervine prods forward and taps it towards point for a single.

Dragged back, on off, Wessly Madhevere punches it to short cover.

Flatter, full and on middle, Craig Ervine drills it to long on for a single.

Goes short, on off, Craig Ervine pats it to short cover.

FOUR! Gets it away! Flighted, full and on middle and leg. Craig Ervine goes down on one knee and paddles it away to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Floated, full and on middle, Craig Ervine gets forward to defend but gets an inside edge to the leg side.

Tossed up, full and on off, Craig Ervine blocks it back to the bowler.

Dragged back, on leg, Craig Ervine flicks it away wide of square leg. Hashmatullah Shahidi dives to his right to make a fine stop. They cross.

Flighted, full and around leg, Craig Ervine tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Arm ball, full and angling in, Wessly Madhevere works it off the inner half of the bat through square leg for a single.

Shorter in length and around off, Wessly Madhevere backs away and stabs it to short cover.

Floated, full and on off, Wessly Madhevere prods forward and blocks it out.

Tossed up, full and on off, Wessly Madhevere taps it to short cover.

Slows it up, full and on off, Craig Ervine defends it on the front foot.

Short and on middle, Wessly Madhevere nudges it through mid-wicket for one.

Finally, another wicket for Afghanistan. Wessly Madhevere comes out to the middle. Still no signs of a declaration.

OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Abdul Malik picks up a wicket and breaks the massive 140-run stand. He bowls the flatter, full and around leg. Antum Naqvi gets low on one and swipes it away but fails to get the elevation and hits it much flatter. It flies straight to deep backward square leg, where Shahidullah Kamal takes a good reverse-cup catch. Zimbabwe are 315/5, leading by 305 runs.

Dragged back, on middle, Antum Naqvi nudges it to short mid-wicket.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Antum Naqvi blocks it out.

Short and on middle, Craig Ervine punches it to long off for a single.

Short and on off, Antum Naqvi keeps it out to the off side.

Flatter, full and on middle and leg, Antum Naqvi flicks it through mid-wicket for a brace.

HUNDRED FOR CRAIG ERVINE! A brillaint knock from him, and he looks up at the skies to soak in the moment. This is short and around off, Ervine punches it towards backward point for a quick run. He brings up his 5th Test century.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Craig Ervine looks to work it across the line but gets a leading edge along the ground to short mid-wicket.

FOUR! Moves to 99! Flatter, full but down the leg side. Craig Ervine gets down on one knee and paddles it away to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Craig Ervine goes down and reverse sweeps it to backward point.

Lopps it up, full and on middle, Antum Naqvi uses his feet and pushes it back to the bowler.

Flighted, full and on middle, Antum Naqvi turns it to the leg side.

Dragged back, on leg, Antum Naqvi nudges it to square leg.

Floated, shortish and on middle, Antum Naqvi tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Antum Naqvi fends it down the pitch.

Short and around off, Craig Ervine punches it through cover-point for a single.

More air on this one, full and on middle, Antum Naqvi defends it on the front foot.

Flighted, full and around off, Antum Naqvi reaches out and drives it to short cover.

Slows it up, full and on middle and off, Antum Naqvi defends it on the front foot.

Floated, full and on off, Antum Naqvi uses his feet and drills it back to the bowler.

Shorter in length and on off, Craig Ervine punches it through covers for a single.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Craig Ervine knocks it to mid on.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Flighted, full and on off. Antum Naqvi gets underneath it and smacks it down to the long off fence for a boundary.

Drags his length back a bit, down the leg side. Antum Naqvi goes down and swipes it away towards deep square leg for a brace. 300 up for Zimbabwe!

Flatter, full and around leg, Antum Naqvi tucks it to short mid-wicket.

A bit short, on middle and off, Antum Naqvi stays back and pats it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Antum Naqvi knocks it down the pitch.

Floated, full and on leg, Antum Naqvi turns it to the leg side.

DRINKS! Zimbabwe have extended their lead to 289 runs now, with Antum Naqvi notching up his maiden Test fifty. However, looking at their approach, it does not look like they are in a hurry to declare and have a go at the Afghans. Maybe they are waiting for Craig Ervine to complete his century and we will have to wait and see. Afghanistan have not been able to create any clear-cut chances and the ball is also not doing as much as we expect on a final day of a Test match. Also, the second new ball is available now, but Afghanistan have not opted for it yet.

Flighted ball on the stumps, Ervine eases it down to mid on.

Full and on leg, Naqvi leans on and drives it down to long on for yet another single.

Drifted onto middle and leg, Ervine wrists it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Flighted down the leg side this time and Naqvi nurdles this one through leg slip and picks up a single.

Nicely tossed up, Antum Naqvi stays watchful and defends it out.

Flighted up on middle and leg, Naqvi gets a stride out and blocks it off.

Good length on off, Ervine rocks back and punches it away to cover.

Nagging length, in and around off, jammed off the back foot to cover.

Darted in at the stumps, Naqvi rocks back and pushes it down to long on for a single.

Stump-to-stump bowling, Naqvi blocks it off.

Antum Naqvi comes back for the second run and brings up his maiden Test FIFTY, on debut as well. Flatter and outside off, punched off the back foot and wide of the cover fielder for a brace.

On a nagging length, straighter at the stumps, Naqvi tucks it to mid-wicket.

Abdul Malik to bowl some offies now.

Flighted delivery around the pads, nudged away onto the leg side.

Fuller and flatter, Ervine reverse-sweeps it away through the point region and picks up two runs.

Tossed up on the stumps now, Ervine watchfully keeps it out.

Nice and full, around off, this is pushed away to mid off.

The mishit saves Naqvi here. Tossed up on leg stump, Naqvi steps out and doesn't reach the pitch of the ball, lofting it towards the vacant midon region and gets a single.

A low full toss on middle and leg, Ervine leans on and drives it down to long on for a single.

Banged in on a good length again, outside off, but this one stays low. Naqvi leans back and stabs it down to point.

Hard length, a bit wide of the off stump. Naqvi smacks it down to cover.

Fuller and straighter, flicked away in front of mid-wicket for a coupleof runs in the deep.

Similar line to the last ball, albeit a tad shorter. Naqvi punches it down to cover.

Hard length in the channel, Naqvi punches it back down to the bowler.

FOUR! SHOT! Short and a bit wide outside off, Antum Naqvi goes back and across, hammering it off the back foot and through point for a boundary.

A maiden for Zia-ur-Rehman. Straighter in line again, and Ervine just turns it to the leg side.

Tossed up at the stumps, Ervine leans on and clips it straight to mid-wicket.

Floated up around middle and leg, Ervine flicks it to the leg side.

Bowled flatter and on the pads, Ervine turns it with soft hands to square leg.

Bowled full and straight, Ervine leans on and gives it a whip but finds Rahmat Shah at silly mid on again.

A loopy delivery from around the wicket, full and just outside off. Ervine nudges it across to silly mid on.

Two more as Naqvi turns this length ball into the gap between mid-wicket and mid on. A lot of chasing in this over for Sediqullah Atal to do.

Back of a length and over middle, Naqvi stays upright and stabs it down wide of mid-wicket and picks up a couple of runs.

Sensational effort in the field by Sediqullah Atal. Pitched up around off, Craig Ervine plays a good-looking cover drive, on the up and wide of mid off. The ball speeds away but Atal hurls after it and puts in a late lunge to flick it back. Replays show that Atal has done well to save a run for his side.

On a hard length, slanting it across the left-hander. Ervine leaves it alone.

Full of a good length, on off and middle, angling back in. Naqvi covers the line and punches it sweetly to the right of mid on. The fielder scampers across and makes a half stop, keeping it down to a single.

Saleem starts the new spell with a full ball around off. Naqvi gets forward to block.

Another one that keeps low. Pushed through across the left-hander, Ervine presses back to cut but the ball slides across without rising much at all.

Tossed up around leg stump, Ervine gets forward to defend.

Pushed through quicker, on a length and on leg stump. Ervine rocks back and jabs it into the leg side.

Flatter and on the pads, flicked off the back foot to square leg.

Floated up on leg stump, Naqvi skips down the pitch and plays a punchy drive to the right of the bowler, and collects a single down to long on.

Flighted up around leg stump, Naqvi strides out to defend.

A dot to end, but 10 runs come off the over, and Zimbabwe now lead by 264 runs. Full-ish length in the channel, left alone for the keeper to collect by Ervine.

Runs are flowing in this over for Zimbabwe. Fractionally shorter and whipped away off the hips by Naqvi, to the right of mid-wicket. Qais Ahmad chases after it and slides in to save the boundary. Three more added to the total.

Hard length on the pads, worked down to fine leg for a single.

FOUR! Really nicely played in the end. Good length on off, angling away, but stays a tad low. Ervine watches it all the way, hangs back and deflects it off the face of the bat at the last moment, wide of the slip cordon and into the deep third fence.

Good length, attacking the stumps, Ervine blocks it off the front foot.

Short of a length, angled into the hips. Ervine flicks it off the inside edge and the ball lobs up off the thigh pad, going wide of the scampering keeper and down to fine leg for a couple of runs.

Dragged back, on leg, Antum Naqvi pats it to short mid-wicket.

Darts one, full and down the leg side, Antum Naqvi fails to glance it away.

Flatter, shortish and on middle, Antum Naqvi fends it away to short mid-wicket.

Drops it short, on middle, Craig Ervine punches it down to long on for a single.

Flighted, full and around leg, Craig Ervine clips it to square leg.

Tossed up, full and on middle and leg, Craig Ervine tucks it towards square leg. He sets off for the run but is sent back.

Touch fuller and on middle again, Antum Naqvi drives it towards mid on. Another maiden over!

On a length and on middle, angling in, Antum Naqvi pushes it back to the bowler.

Hits the deck hard, on off, Antum Naqvi stabs it out to mid off.

Back of a length and on off, Antum Naqvi punches it to short cover.

Hard length and on middle, Antum Naqvi pats it back to the bowler.

Fuller in length and outside off, Antum Naqvi leaves it alone.

Slows it up, full and on off, Craig Ervine defends it on the front foot.

Drops it short, around off, Craig Ervine punches it through covers for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Nicely done! More air on this one, full and around off. Craig Ervine gets down on one knee and drags his slog sweep to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Flighted, full and on middle, Craig Ervine uses his feet and clips it to the leg side.

Craig Ervine gets a top edge into the helmet and the umpire calls for the physio. A mandatory concussion check will be performed now.

Floated, full and on off, Craig Ervine goes down for the reverse sweep but gets a top edge due to the extra bounce and it hits the top of his helmet.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Craig Ervine tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Hard length and on off, Antum Naqvi stays back and pats it to mid off.

Good length and on off, Antum Naqvi drives it on the up but fails to beat short cover.

Short of a length and around off, Antum Naqvi rides the bounce and punches it to short cover.

Hits the deck hard, around leg. Craig Ervine flicks it away through square leg. Mohammad Saleem from deep fine runs a long way to his right and stops it with his foot. Three taken.

Goes a bit fuller, on off, Craig Ervine pushes it towards short cover.

Back of a length and on off, Craig Ervine stays back and stabs it out to extra cover.

More air on this one, full and around off, Antum Naqvi drills it hard but straight to short cover.

Drags his length back, on leg, Antum Naqvi nudges it to short mid-wicket.

A bit short, on middle, Antum Naqvi moves back and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Flighted, full and on middle and off, Antum Naqvi knocks it back to the bowler.

Floated, full and around leg, Craig Ervine clips it through mid-wicket for a run.

Tossed up, full and on off, Antum Naqvi eases it down to long on for a single.

Rahmat Shah is now back on the field. Also, it will be Zia-ur-Rehman to operate from the other end.

Good length, on the leg-stump line, Craig Ervine tucks it to short mid-wicket. Maiden over!

Back to the fuller length, on off, Craig Ervine drills it towards short cover.

It seems like Afghan skipper Rahmat Shah has come back out on the field. For now, Ikram Alikhil is the acting skipper.

Hits the deck hard, on middle and leg, Craig Ervine clips it away to square leg.

Pitched up and on off, Craig Ervine strides out and strides out and drives it away towards mid off.

Full again and on off, Craig Ervine gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

Fuller and around off, angling away, Craig Ervine leaves it alone.

We are back for the post-Lunch session on Day 5. The umpires make their way out to the middle, followed by the players of Afghanistan. Craig Ervine and Antum Naqvi also stride out for Zimbabwe and are set to resume their stay at the crease. Ziaur Rahman will start proceedings with the ball after Lunch. Let's go...

... DAY 5, SESSION 2 ...

Looking in control - Day 5 began with Zimbabwe firmly in the lead, but Mohammad Saleem gave his side a big breakthrough early in the session. However, Afghanistan didn't manage to capitalize and allowed the new batter to settle in. Since then, Craig Ervine and Antum Naqvi have added 77 runs for the fifth wicket and have taken Zimbabwe to safety, it seems. The hosts have it all to do if they are to force a result, because Zimbabwe look like they are playing for a draw. But you never know, the lead is already pretty hefty and if Ervine and Naqvi notch up quick runs in the second session, Afghanistan might just be forced to bat again. Do join us as the post-Lunch session is scheduled to begin at 8.40 am GMT.

8.03 am GMT - LUNCH, DAY 5 - Yet another tough session for the fielding side - just one wicket in 26 overs, and Zimbabwe have added 88 runs, taking their lead to 242 runs now. The more play goes on, the more a draw seems a likely result. However, there is still an outside chance of a win for either side, and the first hour after Lunch could be decisive in determining the result of this Test.

Nicely tossed up, full and on off. Antum Naqvi leans on to defend, and that will be Lunch on Day 5.

Flatter one around off, angles in and keeps low. Ervine rocks back and shovels it wide of mid-wicket for yet another single.

Dragged a bit shorter but well wide of the off stump. Naqvi reaches out and hits it to deep point for a single.

Good length on off, played off the back foot and past extra cover for a single.

FOUR! Short and wide this time. Craig Ervine rocks back and hammers the cut shot well in front of point, beating the deep point fielder to his left and picks up four runs.

No run, played towards covers.

One more over before Lunch? Yes, indeed. It will be Qais Ahmad to bowl it.

Back of a length and over off, Naqvi covers the line well and keeps it out. A maiden for Ziaur Rahman.

Pitched fuller now, darting it back in sharply from around the fifth-stump line. Antum Naqvi jabs it back down the pitch.

Good-length delivery on off, sliding onto the bat. Naqvi gets on the front foot and plays it on the up, straight to mid off.

Just short of a good length, in the channel and Naqvi pokes it down into the off side.

Wider on the crease, angling the ball back in towards the top of middle stumps. Naqvi plays it with the angle and pushes it down to the right of mid on.

Hard length outside off, Naqvi leans back and stabs it down to extra cover.

It seems like Antum Naqvi is feeling a bit of pain in his right thumb. Probably because the Afghanistan pacers have banged the ball in, and that bottom hand has been jarred. The physio comes out and tapes that thumb, and Naqvi is good to go again.

Tossed up, full and around off. Ervine plays a flowing drive but can't gte it past the cover fielder.

Good length on off, dips on the batter and stays low. Ervine rocks back to defend.

Flatter and outside off, Ervine hops back and dabs it down to point.

Doesn't get it right this time. Full-ish length outside off, Ervine falls over a bit as he employs the reverse sweep again bt ends up getting it off the handle of the blade and onto the leg side.

FOUR! Top shot. Tossed up on off stump, Craig Ervine lunges ahead and rolls his wrists nicely over the ball, reverse-sweeping it firmly through gully for a boundary.

Flighted up, slower through the air and well outside off. Ervine gets a stride in and opts to leave it alone.

Hard length again, in and around off. Naqvi presses back and keeps it down to the left of the bowler.

Extra bounce on this occasion. Hard length around off, slanting back in. Naqvi looks to defend wth a straight bat but the ball shoots up and catches the higher part of the blade. Naqvi does well to keep the ball down.

Good work in the field. Shorter in length and outside off, Antum Naqvi goes after it and hits it down to the right of short extra cover. Rahmat Shah dives across and parries it behind to mid off, keeping it down to a dot ball.

Good length on off, skidding through. Naqvi stays back to defend.

Ouch! That's completely unnecessary and the bowler has to bear the brunt in his figures. Hard length over the top of off stump, Naqvi stabs it down to the right of mid on. Sediqullah Atal picks it up and throws it miles over the keeper's head. The ball runs away into the deep third fence for four overthrows.

Just back of a length, on a tight line around off and angling in. Naqvi rocks back to defend.

Turn and bounce, and that's a risky stroke from Ervine. Lobbed up wide of the off stump, not all that full. Ervine tries to drag the sweep but the ball shoots up and goes well over his blade.

Floated up around off, Ervine defends it off.

FOUR! Really nicely done by Ervine. Fuller and straighter, Ervine lunges ahead and employs the dab sweep, getting it well fine and the ball trickles away into the fine leg fence.

That's turned off the rough. Flighted up outside off, Ervine is drawn forward to block but doesn't quite reach the pitch of the ball and gets an inside edge onto the front pad.

Floated up around off, on a nagging length and watchfully blocked off by Ervine.

Zia sees Ervine stepping out and drags the length back, bowling it outside off. Ervine awkwardly manages to keep it out.

Fuller in length, pitched up around the off stump line. Naqvi gets on the front foot to defend.

Nicely timed. Back of a length and around off, angling back in. Antum Naqvi presses back and shows the full face of the bat, punching it down to the right of the diving fielder at mid off. The fielder at mid on chases after it and keeps it down to a brace.

Fractionally shorter and wide of the off stump. Antum Naqvi stays upright and smacks it down to cover-point.

Bowled from wider on the crease, angled back in on a good length. Naqvi stands tall and punches it down to extra cover.

Pitched up, wide of the off stump and shaping it back in. Naqvi reaches out to drive but gets it off the inside half of the blade and back to the bowler.

Good-length delivery, in line with the stumps, and Naqvi blocks it straight down the pitch.

Floated up outside off, not all that full. Ervine tries another paddle but is a bit early into the shot and smothers it to square leg.

Slower through the air, on a nagging length and outside off. Ervine leans across and blocks it off.

Flighted delivery, on middle, and Ervine defends it off.

FOUR! Cracking shot! Tossed up on off stump, Craig Ervine lunges well ahead and gets on top of the bounce, sweeping it hard and to the left of Qais Ahmad at deep square leg for a boundary.

Fuller and on the pads, flicked away to the right of mid-wicket for a quick single.

Flighted delivery around leg stump, Naqvi strides across and defends it with gentle hands.

Pitched fuller and angled just across the left-hander. Ervine gets on the front foot and plays it to mid off.

Back of a length, on middle and leg, and nudged down to the right of mid-wicket by Ervine.

Short of a good length and around off, slanted back in from wider on the crease. Naqvi punches it down to the left of mid on, where Sediqullah Atal quickly cuts it off and keeps it down to a single.

Rahman doesn't seem to be making the batter play enough deliveries at the moment. Pitched up on a length but well wide of the off stump, and Naqvi leaves it alone.

Even shorter this time and wide outside off. Naqvi presses back on his toes and punches it down, but straight to short extra cover.

Slightly back of a length and outside off. Naqvi goes back and across, defending it down to extra cover.

Tossed up on middle stump, Naqvi makes room and drives it wide of mid off, where the fielder makes a good stop. A single is taken and 10 runs come off that over. Also, the 50-run stand is up between these two

Lobbed up outside the line of off stump, Naqvi lunges ahead and defends it to the leg side.

Flighted delivery, quite full and around off. Ervine lunges across to paddle it fine, but miscues it wide of square leg for a single. That will also be FIFTY for Ervine, his 9th in Test cricket. Zimbabwe now lead by 214 runs.

FOUR! Well, it looks like Craig Ervine has decided to switch gears, and he's quickly moved on to 49. Tossed up on the stumps, a bit too full and Ervine hammers the sweep to the left of deep mid-wicket and picks up a boundary.

Almost a carbon copy of the last ball. Full and on off, Ervine brings out the paddle sweep and gets it fine of leg gully for another brace.

Cheekily done by Ervine. Floated up outside off, Ervine lunges across and half-paddles it through the fine leg region. The fielder at leg gully chases after it and keeps it down to two runs.

A maiden over for Ziaur Rahman. Good length, slightly wide of the off stump, and Naqvi shoulders arms at it.

Better line from Ziaur. Pitched up on the fifth-stump line, sliding it in. Naqvi drives it sweetly on the up but hits it straight to short extra cover.

Full-ish length, pushed wide of the off stump and the ball barely scrapes through to the keeper. No shot offered by Naqvi.

Pitched fuller now, around off and angling it in. Antum Naqvi punches it on the up and straight toward mid off.

Wider on the crease, slanted back in from well outside off. Naqvi defends it off without a fuss.

Back of a length, on a tight line around off, and blocked off the back foot by Naqvi.

There's an issue with the sight screen. A bit of the advertisement covering has just come off from the top-right corner. The ground staff get it sorted, and we are good to go again.

Nagging length, turning into the stumps, but it's slow turn. Ervine stays back and turns the ball towards square leg.

Nicely flighted, in and around off, and not that full either. Ervine lunges across and defends it right under the eyes.

Pushed through a bit quicker now, and on the pads. Naqvi flicks it behind square leg and picks up a single in the deep.

Again, really slower through the air, flighting it up on the stumps. Naqvi blocks it off.

Slowed up, on a length and well down leg. Naqvi sits down to sweep but fails to connect.

Lobbed up just outside the leg stump. Naqvi gets half a stride forward and smothers it away.

Length ball, slanted into the pads, Naqvi tucks it away wide of square leg and picks up a single. Zimbabwe now lead by 204 runs.

The keeper is up to the stumps now for the final ball.

Fuller now, bowled from wide on the crease and looking to angle it back in. The starting line is again too wide to make the batter play at it.

Hard length, a bit wider of the off stump again, and that's another easy leave to make for Naqvi.

Better line from Ziaur. Back of a length, in and around off, Naqvi gets right behind the line and blocks it off.

This is bowled short and wide outside off, Naqvi opts to leave this one alone as well.

Full-ish length to begin with, fairly outside off and not carrying through to the keeper. Naqvi leaves it alone.

Ziaur Rahman comes in to replace Mohammad Saleem.

Beautifully bowled! Zia-ur-Rehman hangs the ball up in the air and gets it to dip just outside the off stump. Ervine is drawn forward but gets beaten in the flight and past the inside edge. The keeper fails to collect it as well.

Another sloppy piece of fielding from Ziaur Rahman. Tossed up outside off, Ervine leans across and drives it to the right of extra cover. Ziaur gets across but fumbles the ball, parrying it behind and Ervine picks up two runs.

Nice and full, on off stump, Ervine blocks it off.

Tossed up around off, Ervine leans on and plays it to the off side.

Ooh, that's kept really low. Bowled flatter and outside off, Ervine rocks back to cut but the ball nearly skims across the surface and takes the under edge. Thankfully for Ervine, he doesn't chop it back onto the stumps, but rather back past the keeper.

Fuller one, tossed up around off, Ervine strokes it away to cover.

DRINKS! The first hour on Day 5 has been well contested, but right now, Zimbabwe will feel that they are in a good position. Mohammad Saleem did make good use of reverse swing and got the wicket of Brian Bennett, but he's bowled a long spell. There hasn't been much turn for the spinners and it is more a battle of will right now between the two sides.

Length ball in the channel, tails back in a bit as well. Naqvi solidly punches it out to mid off.

Shorter in length and on leg stump, worked away off the hips and down to deep backward square leg for a single.

A misfield by Ziaur Rahman. Full and around off, tailing back in. Antum Naqvi drills the drive to the right of wide mid off, where Zia dives over the ball. The ball doesn't have the legs to quite reacjh the fence andZia manages to recover it. Three taken.

Just back of a length, hitting the deck hard and bowling it over off. Naqvi goes back and plays it with a vertical bat toward mid on.

Good length around off, angling it in a bit. Naqvi solidly blocks it to mid off.

A tad fuller now, on the pads and shaping down the leg side. Naqvi fails to flick it away.

Nice and full, outside off. Ervine leans on and then angles the bat, easing it towards cover-point.

Flighted delivery, on off stump, blocked off by Ervine.

Another quick single and that's excellent running between the wickets. Floated up around off, Naqvi steps out and eases it to mid off, running with the stroke and he gets across safely to the other end.

Bowled flatter and at the stumps, staying low. Ervine rocks back and punches it through mid on for a single.

On a nagging length, angling in off a rough outside the line of off stump. Ervine gets down and gets on top of the bounce, reverse-sweeping it to the right of backward point for a couple of runs.

Nicely flighted on leg stump, Naqvi steps out and plays it on the full, getting it wide of mid off for a single.

Again, a wayward last delivery from Saleem, and he's done that for three straight overs now. This is dug in short but spilled down the leg side, wasting all the effort put into the delivery.

Back of a length, around off. Naqvi hops up and defends it past point for an easy single.

Short-pitched delivery on middle, cutting across the right-hander. Naqvi brings the hands down and manages to let it through.

Naqvi takes another body blow and isn't showing any emotion out there. Bowled from around the wicket, banged into the pitch and over leg stump. With three catching fielders out on the leg side, Naqvi doesn't play at it and gets hit on the side of his body.

Short again, attacking the body, albeit a bit too straight. Naqvi does well to move to the off side and away from the line of the ball.

Oh, a lapse in concentration and Naqvi nearly gets out here. Shortish length, darted into the batter. Naqvi is late to pick it up and doesn't play at it. The ball hits him around the ribs and falls down. Naqvi doesn't react and the ball nearly trickles back onto the stumps.

A bit of a halt and it seems like Antum Naqvi has called for a change of gloves.

Just a few inches shorter than the last one and tighter on off stump. Ervine leans on to defend.

Tossed up, full and wide of the off stump, trying to hit a rough patch. Ervine laces the cover drive but finds the fielder.

Flatter now, not all that full and darted in towards off. Ervine opts to play it off the back foot and jams it out.

Flighted delivery, in and around off, watchfully blocked off by Ervine.

Good cricket all around. Tossed up around leg, Antum Naqvi skips down the track whilst backing away and drives it to the right of mid off. Ziaur Rahman from mid on chases after it and puts in a late lunge to save the boundary. Three runs are taken. 200 up for Zimbabwe as well. They now lead by 191 runs.

Floated up around the leg stump line, Naqvi backs away a bit and blocks it to the left of the bowler.

Way too short and a fair bit down the leg side as well. Ervine doesn't play at it.

Bowled into the pitch, short and just down the leg side. Ervine hops aross to the off side and swivels around to let the ball through.

Saleem persists with the short stuff, banging it in around off stump. Naqvi fetches it and plays more of a half-pull down to deep square leg for a single.

Another short-pitched delivery, around off. Ervine leans back and crunches the pull to deep mid-wicket for just a single.

Dug in short over the stumps, angling it away. Ervine ducks under it.

Risky footwork from Qais Ahmad in the deep, but he gets away with it. Short and wide, Ervine stands tall and slaps it down to deep point. Qais runs around to his left and opts to stop it with his boot. He does manage to do so and keeps it down to two runs.

Much more in control this time, is Naqvi. On leg stump, Naqvi goes down on one knee and plays the hard sweep, hitting it to the left of deep backward square leg for another brace. Zimbabwe now lead by 184 runs.

Ooh, an outside edge now, but no harm is done. Floated up down the leg side, landing it on the rough. Naqvi looks to whip it leg side but is undone by a bit of turn, edging it through the vacant gully region for a couple of runs.

Flighted delivery, outside the line of leg stump. Naqvi strides out and gets the front leg out of the way before nudging it into the off side.

Loopy delivery, landing it around the leg stump. Naqvi gets a big stride ahead and blocks it off.

Floated up on off stump, turning in. Ervine leans on and covers the line, easing it down to long on for one more.

Flighted up around leg, Naqvi comes down the pitch and drives it to long on for a single.

Extra effort from Saleem again, but he's sprayed it down leg. Full and quick, looking to dart one into the pads but the ball angles down the leg side.

Good pace and bounce on this occasion. Banged in short and over off, the ball just angles in a bit and flies through. Ervine does well to drop his hands down and just sway away from the line of the ball as it whizzes away past his head.

Too full and straight, clipped away firmly down to deep backward square leg for one more.

Hard length, bowled into the body. Ervine flicks it off the inside edge and the ball goes off his pads behind square leg. A single is taken.

Another one that's angled back into the left-hander, but it's a bit too straight. Craig Ervine whips it away in front of mid-wicket this time and collects two more runs.

Nicely played. Good length on off, slanting back in. Ervine clips it away sweetly through the mid-wicket region and picks up a couple of runs.

Lobbed up a bit fuller now, in and around off. Naqvi defends it wide of silly point.

Flighted up on off stump, not all that full, but Naqvi manages to block it off.

Held back a bit, drifting it into the front pad. Naqvi watchfully pats it down to mid on.

Full again, at the stumps, Ervine lunges and plays the reverse sweep, hitting it gently towards deep third for one more run.

Good, positive running. Very full, angled into middle. Naqvi takes the front leg out and pushes it out to mid off before scampering through for a quick single.

Flighted up outside off, fuller too. Ervine leans on and edges it down with soft hands through gully, and turns the strike over.

Plenty of tail on that one, but it's too wide to make any inroads. Full and wide outside off, reversing back into the right-hander. Naqvi confidently drives it out to mid off.

Hard length, just outside off and shaping back in again. Naqvi gets nicely behind the line and punches it down with a straight bat to mid off.

On a good length, shaping it back into middle and leg. Naqvi brings the bat down in an angled manner and stabs it down to mid-wicket.

Banged into the deck and a bit shorter, Ervine hops up and nudges it down through backward point for a single.

Saleem goes wider on the crease, sliding the ball back in from around the fifth-stump line. Ervine makes another watchful leave.

Around the wicket to the left-hander, pitched fuller and in the channel, angling it in a bit. Ervine leaves it alone.

A bit of counter-attacking cricket by Naqvi here. Floated up at the stumps, Naqvi goes down on one knee and slog-sweeps it away towards deep mid-wicket. The ball plugs in the deep and it will just be a couple of runs. Naqvi does get off the mark, though.

Lobbed up very full and straight, dipping on the batter. Naqvi digs it to mid on.

Flighted delivery, full and straight, turned down to long on for a single by Ervine.

Beautifully bowled! Nagging length again, just outside off. Craig Ervine rocks back and covers the line, playing for the turn, but this one slides right on and keeps a bit low as well, just beating the outside edge.

Tossed up, wide of the off stump, Ervine leans across and blocks it off.

Floated up, on a nagging length and outside off. Ervine rocks back to punch it away but miscues it to the right of the bowler.

End of a probing over from Saleem, two runs and a wicket off it. Back of a length, angled into the batter. Naqvi gets up on his toes and dabs it down in front of mid-wicket.

An appeal for caught behind, but it seemed like Naqvi's bat hit the turf. Full and outside off, tailing back in and skids through quickly. Naqvi reaches out to drive but the ball zips past the inside edge.

Another reverse-swinging delivery, on a length but fairly wide of the off stump. Antum Naqvi shoulders arms.

Debutant Antum Naqvi is in at number 6.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Every now and then, Mohammad Saleem bowls a pearler, and he's got the big fish early in the day. Similar delivery to the last one but this time Saleem gets the line spot-on. On a good length, it lands around off and reverses back in sharply. Brian Bennett is once again caught back on the crease and plays all around it. The ball goes past the inside edge and clips the top of middle and leg stump. The Zimbabwe skipper walks back after a handy knock and Zimbabwe are now 175/4, leading by 165 runs.

That's hurried the batter off the deck. Good length on middle, the ball jags back in sharply, and that's a sign of reverse swing. Bennett gets pegged back and misses the flick, getting pinged on the pads. Saleem appeals for LBW, but the umpire turns it down. That's clearly drifting down leg.

Short of a good length, darted into the hips. Bennett tucks it down neatly and gets it well to the left of Qais Ahmad at deep backward square leg, picking up a couple of runs in the process.

Floated up outside off, Bennett lunges and strokes it to the right of the diving extra cover fielder and picks up another single. 7 off the over, an expensive start for Zia on Day 5.

Flighted delivery, full and on the pads. Ervine turns it between square leg and mid-wicket for a run more.

Tossed up this time, on the stumps, and there's a hint of turn. Bennett shovels it wide of mid on and turns the strike over.

Flatter delivery on off, Bennett stays back to defend.

FOUR! Bennett isn't going to miss out on a freebie like that. Slow and short around off, Bennett has all the time in the world to rock back and pick his spot. He hammers it off the back foot and through square covers for a boundary.

Tossed up, fuller and on the fourth-stump line. Bennett gets forward and blocks it off.

Zia-ur-Rehman to operate from the other end.

Ooh, that kept a bit low, but it's well-negotiated by Ervine. Length again, slanted back in towards the stumps from wider on the crease. The ball just skids through but Ervine watches it well and clips it to mid-wicket.

Good-length delivery around off, bashed into the deck. Ervine stays solid in defence.

Pitched up a bit, in and around off, Ervine leans on to defend.

FIFTY up for Brian Bennett, and he follows up a ton in the first innings, with a half-century in the second innings on his Test captaincy debut. Back of a length and around off, Bennett stands tall, rocks back and punches it down to sweeper cover for a single.

First runs of the day! Good length, but too straight, and Ervine works it off the pads to the right of fine leg and the batters settle for a single. Zimbabwe now lead by 155 runs.

Good line from Saleem to begin with. Pitched up in the channel outside off, angling the ball in. Craig Ervine makes a watchful leave and the ball stays low while carrying to the keeper.

All in readiness for the Day 5 action to begin. The umpires are out in the middle, and so are the players of Afghanistan, who can be seen getting a pep talk from Rahmat Shah before taking their places on the field. Brian Bennett and Craig Ervine are the overnight batters for Zimbabwe, and they are set to resume their stay at the crease. It will be Mohammad Saleem to start proceedings with the ball. Let's go...

PITCH REPORT - Tino Mawoyo is pitchside, and he starts by saying that the ball did start to keep low on Day 4, and it will be interesting to see how it plays today. However, he reckons that the pitch still looks good for batting. Afghan pacer Naveen ul Haq joins him and says that the pitch still looks a graveyard for the bowlers, but hopes that things change soon and the bowlers can get more purchase out of the deck.

Let's now hear from the Zimbabwe camp - Brendan Taylor says that he tries to see himself as the glue in the batting order and looks for scoring options as well. He adds that he's been given clarity in his role and feels that his attacking mode will look after his defence. On his run out, Taylor sees that he was frustrated but Brian's a great guy and he has a big role to play on Day 5. He ends by saying that they want to send a positive message heading into the 2nd Test match.

A quick chat with Sediqullah Atal - Atal starts by saying that he's understood his routine better and backed his skills for red-ball cricket. Adds that he's trying to be humble and grounded, and to respect the opposition bowlers. On Rahmanullah, he says that he's a great middle-order batter, and his favourite because he has known him since before and hopes that he can do great things for Afghanistan in the future. He ends by saying that they'll try to hunt for wickets early on and if they manage to bowl the opposition out, they'll definitely try to chase the target, as looking for a win is their main aim.

Who has the advantage? Well, that's a tricky question to answer as Zimbabwe have a pretty decent lead already, and with the pitch wearing down quite a bit, even if the visitors get bundled out quickly on Day 5, they just might have even runs on the board. Afghanistan are certainly up against it and will soon need to decide whether they want to force things or try and play for a draw. The first session will be crucial, so stay tuned.

Final day jitters - Hello and welcome back to Sharjah for the 5th and final day of this 1st Test match between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. The visitors currently lead by 154 runs, and with just 90 overs remaining in the game, it is hard to look beyond a draw. However, in cricket, you never know when things can change. Maybe Zimbabwe score freely and bat for one session, and then set a target for Afghanistan. Or maybe the hosts rip through Zimbabwe's middle order and give themselves a chance of chasing a low target - anything can happen.

... DAY 5, SESSION 1 ...

Day 4 comes to a close - That brings us to the end of an engrossing Day 4, with Zimbabwe firmly in the driver's seat and well placed to call the shots in this Test. Afghanistan, meanwhile, have plenty of work to do if they are to turn things around and salvage a favourable result. The final day's play gets underway on Monday, 9 November, at 6 am GMT, and we hope you can join us a little earlier for all the build-up. Until then, cheers!

Zimbabwe finish on a high - Zimbabwe completely dominated the final session, with Brendan Taylor leading the charge through an aggressive knock. He came out with clear intent, scoring freely and bringing up a fiery fifty off just 61 balls, despite Ben Curran falling early. Brian Bennett initially played second fiddle as Taylor continued to take the attack to the bowlers, but a costly mix-up ended the latter's innings on 82, following an 82-run stand. Bennett gradually shifted gears, while Craig Ervine also chipped in with positive intent to push Zimbabwe's lead to a substantial 154 runs, with the former staying unbeaten on 49 before bad light forced an early close. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will rue a couple of missed chances in the field, which could have left them in a much better position heading into the final day.

Afghans take a narrow lead - The post-Lunch session began with Afghanistan looking to wipe out the deficit, but Zimbabwe found their breakthrough through Blessing Muzarabani, who ended the 92-run partnership by dismissing Zia-ur-Rehman for 15. Shah continued to battle on, bringing up a magnificent 173 before falling to Graeme Cremer, while Newman Nyamhuri wrapped things up with a five-wicket haul. Afghanistan were eventually bowled out for 514, securing a slender 10-run lead. Zimbabwe then had a brief passage to bat before Tea, but Zia-ur-Rehman struck early to remove Innocent Kaia. Brendan Taylor and Ben Curran negotiated the remaining overs, taking Zimbabwe to 30/1 at Tea, with a 20-run lead.

Solid resistance in a wicketless morning - Afghanistan resumed Day 4 with Rahmat Shah and Zia-ur-Rehman at the crease, trailing by 102 runs, but the pair showed tremendous patience and application to frustrate Zimbabwe's bowling attack. Shah continued to lead from the front, batting with composure and managing the strike cleverly to ensure his partner was not exposed too often. The duo added an unbeaten 74 runs to their partnership during the session, with Shah moving to 146 and Zia providing stubborn resistance. Afghanistan went into Lunch at 465/7, having scored 63 runs without losing a wicket, and reduced the deficit to just 39 runs.

1.16 pm GMT - Stumps on Day 4! There it is. The umpires have decided that the light isn't good enough to continue, and that will be STUMPS ON DAY 4. We head into the final day with all three results still very much possible, which is exactly what makes Test cricket so compelling. Zimbabwe enjoyed a dominant final session, piling on 134 runs in 32 overs while losing just two wickets, and have put themselves in a position to dictate how the game unfolds. They now face an interesting call on the final morning: push hard to extend the lead and set Afghanistan a daunting target before putting them to bat, or allow the game to take its natural course. Either way, an intriguing final day awaits!

Flatter, full and around leg, Craig Ervine clips it towards short fine for a quick run.

Drops it short, on middle, Craig Ervine stays back and pats it on the bounce to short leg.

Slows it up, full and on off, Craig Ervine lunges out and dead-bats it.

Floated, full and on off, Craig Ervine defends it on the front foot.

Flatter, short and around leg, Brian Bennett nudges it off his hips through square leg for a single.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Brian Bennett prods forward and blocks it out.

The light meter is out, and the umpires take a reading. Remember, there was a benchmark set on Day 1, and it seems like, for now, the light is good to continue play.

Edged but does not carry! Good-length delivery, around off, holds its line. Craig Ervine pushes at it away from his body and gets an outside edge but it drops just in front of first slip.

A quick and sharp bouncer, on middle, Craig Ervine ducks under it.

Much fuller and on middle, angling in, Craig Ervine knocks it towards the vacant mid on region for a brace.

Dug into the surface, on middle, angling in, Craig Ervine hops up and pats it towards the short leg region.

Short of a length and on middle, Brian Bennett rolls his wrists and pulls it towards the right of the deep mid-wicket for a single.

Back of a length and on off, Brian Bennett stays back and keeps it out to the off side.

Nice and full, on off stump, Ervine keeps it out off the front foot. A maiden for Zia-ur-Rehman.

Another one that's tossed up, full and on off. Ervine lunges to defend.

Tossed up around off, landing it on the rough patch and getting it to turn in. Ervine ges across to defend but gets an inside edge to mid on.

Nicely looped up, full and around off, Craig Ervine gets onto the front foot and drives but can't get it wide enough fo the fielder at mid off.

Dragged length around off, angling back in. Ervine rocks back and swats it down to mid on.

A floater from Zia, full and wide of the off stump. Ervine gets a stride across and then leaves it alone.

FOUR! No chance for the fielder in the deep. Full and outside off, Bennett goes after it and laces a supreme square drive, nailing it to the right of deep point for a boundary. Zimbabwe now lead by 149 runs.

Saleem persists with the short-ball ploy, banging it in well short and over middle. Bennett ducks underneath once again.

Another short ball, a proper bumper this time, and Bennett ducks under it.

Dug in shorter over middle, Bennett climbs on top of the bounce and pulls it well in front of square, wide of deep mid-wicket and picks up two runs.

Pitched up at the stumps, blocked off by Bennett.

Oh, that's a dangerous slide in the deep from the fielder. Good length around the top of off, Brian Bennett stands tall and punches it away down through covers. The fielders from extra cover and sweeper cover converge, with the former putting in a football slide to stop the ball and nearly taking out his compatriot. Bennett picks up two runs.

Floated up wide of the off stump, Ervine drives it well and to the left of cover, but the fielder over there makes a diving stop.

Tossed up around off, blocked down to point.

Pushed through flatter again, on the pads and this is tucked away down to leg gully.

Flatter one, on a length and outside off. Hit away with an open bat face and through backward point for a couple of runs by Ervine. 150 up for Zimbabwe as well.

Zia throws this one wider of the off stump, doesn't bowl it all that full either. Ervine gets a stride across and blocks it to the off side.

Flighted up, full and around off. Ervine leans on and strokes it just to the right of the cover fielder.

Good length over middle, Bennett stays back and tucks it across to short mid-wicket.

A bumper now, putting in extra effort into that delivery, and you can hear the grunt from Saleem as well. This is dug in short and over middle, Bennett does well to duck under it.

Saleem keeps the length full but pushes the line slightly outside the off stump. Bennett plays a confident drive off the front foot but hits it straight to extra cover.

Full-pitched delivery, attacking the stumps again, and Bennett clips it to mid on.

Good length on off, this one jags back into the right-hander. Bennett watchfully blocks it to mid on.

Did that carry? Nope, just ever so slightly short. Pitched up outside off, getting the ball to seam away. Brian Bennett looks for a booming drive but gets an outside edge that goes down to the right of the keeper. Ikram Alikhil dives across and the ball just thuds into the glove on the half-volley and spills out.

The floodlights have been switched on now.

A bit of hesitation out there in the middle, but Bennett rightly turns down the run. Good length outside off, cut away wide of point.

Slower one, flighted into the rough outside the off stump. Craig Ervine leans on to defend.

Full again, slightly wide of the off stump. Bennett hammers the drive to deep cover and collects a single.

Tossed up, full and a bit quicker, on off. Bennett jams it out to the left of the bowler.

Floated up, fuller and at the stumps. Bennett leans on and drives it back to the bowler.

Short of a good length, turning away from off. Brian Bennett cuts it to point.

DRINKS! It's time for another breather in this session. Zimbabwe did lose Brendan Taylor, who missed out on a hundred and was looking really threatening, but they have also extended their lead to 138 runs. Since Taylor's dismissal, Brian Bennett has tried to be more aggressive, while Craig Ervine is also not shying away from playing his shots. Afghanistan have been a bit sloppy in the field in the last few overs and also dropped a catch, and they need to regroup quickly to make their way back into the game.

Good length around off, eased away off the back foot to deep cover for a single.

Flighted delivery on middle, kept out by Bennett.

FOUR! Sloppy work in the deep and the Afghan skipper isn't happy with that effort. Tossed up on the pads, Bennett sits down and sweeps it away to the right of deep square leg, where Ziaur Rahman is a bit lazy to dive across and fumbles it behind for a boundary.

Good length on off, sliding back in. Bennett stays in his crease and keeps it out.

Dragged length around off, sliding on with the arm. Ervine camps back and dabs it down through the gully region for a single.

Should have been put away. Way too full and wide of the off stump, Craig Ervine smacks it away but can't get it past the cover fielder.

Nice and full again, on off stump. Bennett strokes it to extra cover. 6 runs off the over, and Zimbabwe now lead by 132 runs.

This is bowled much fuller and on off stump, Bennett smothers it away to the off side.

FOUR! Put away with disdain. Shorter in length, outside off. Bennett rocks back and latches onto th width, cutting it firmly and just behind point for a boundary.

Floated up, full and on off. Bennett eases it to the left of the bowler.

Tossed up at the stumps again, this time Bennett opts to defend.

Bennett is throwing caution to the wind every now and then, and living dangerously here. Tossed up on the stumps, Bennett gets low and has a swipe across the line but gets a top edge that flies over wide mid on and lands safely. Two taken.

Full and on off, punched off the front foot but straight to the cover fielder.

A fumble from the fielder, and that allows the batters to come back for the second run. Flighted delivery around off, Ervine leans on and strokes it to extra cover, where the fielder fumbles and parries it behind, conceding an extra run.

Flighted up on the fourth-stump line, kept out by Ervine.

FOUR! Ervine keeps finding the fence on a regular basis. Flatter around off, sliding back onto the bat. Craig Ervine rocks back and forces it through covers for a boundary.

A bit fuller and around off, angled back in. Craig Ervine blocks it off.

Slower through the air, around off stump and sliding straight on. Ervine plays it late and keeps it down wide of the slip fielder.

Floated up again, just outside the line of off stump. Bennett stays soli in defence.

Tossed-up delivery, in and around off stump. Bennett blocks it off.

A bit agricultural from Bennett this time. Floated up on middle and leg, Bennett steps out and heaves it off the inside half of the blade, getting it between square leg and mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Flighted delivery on middle, drifting in. Bennett leans on and strokes it down to the left of mid on.

Pitched fuller now and on off, this is driven straight to extra cover.

Held back a bit, landing it on off and the ball slides back in. Brian Bennett blocks it off.

Gives this one some more air, full and on middle, Craig Ervine blocks it down the pitch.

Quicker, short and on off, Craig Ervine dabs it down to point.

A bit short, on off, Craig Ervine pats it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Two in two! Flighted, full and on off. Craig Ervine uses his feet again, stays leg side of the ball and gets his hands through to crash it through extra covers for another boundary.

FOUR! Nice use of the feet! Floated, full and around middle. Craig Ervine skips down the track to get to the pitch of it and lofts it over mid on for a boundary.

Tossed up, full and on off, Craig Ervine knocks it to mid off.

Goes short, on off, Brian Bennett punches it away to short over.

Loops it up, full and on off, Brian Bennett taps it to the off side.

Tossed up, full and on off, Brian Bennett drills it to the left of the bowler.

Flighted, full and on middle, Brian Bennett fends it down the pitch.

A bit short, on off, Brian Bennett keeps it out to the off side.

Floated, full and on off, Brian Bennett pushes it to short cover.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Craig Ervine negotiates it well.

DROPPED! More air on this one, full and on off. Craig Ervine drives it firmly but fails to keep it down. Rahmat Shah at catching cover is a bit late to get low and spills the chance. Golden chance goes beggin here.

Tossed up, full and on off, Craig Ervine taps it to the off side.

Craig Ervine walks out to bat at number 5.

OUT! BRENDAN TAYLOR IS RUN OUT! This was probably the only way that Afghanistan were going to get a wicket. Hashmatullah Shahidi bowls a flighted delivery, full and on middle, Taylor tucks it to the right of short mid-wicket and calls for the run. Brian Bennett takes a couple of steps out, but then sees the fielder getting to the ball and sends his partner back. Taylor puts in the brakes and turns around, but Zia-ur-Rehman gets to the ball and throws it at the keeper's end, where Ikram Alikhil takes the bails off, with Taylor well short of his crease. He is absolutely livid and probably missed out on a hundred here. Zimbabwe are 120/3, leading by 110 runs.

Floated, full and on off, Brian Bennett drills it towards mid off for a quick run.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Brendan Taylor eases it down to long on for a single.

Goes short again and on leg, Brian Bennett moves back to flick it away but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Slows it up, full and on leg again, Brian Bennett lets it hit his pads.

Flighted, full and around leg, Brian Bennett pads it away.

FOUR! Gets it away! Flatter one, full and down the leg side. Brian Bennett goes down to swipe it away but gets an under edge that goes past the keeper and rolls to the fence behind for a boundary.

Drops it short, on the leg-stump line, Brendan Taylor stays back and clips it through square leg for a single.

Floated, full and around leg, Brendan Taylor gets low and paddles it to short fine.

Dragged back, on off, Brian Bennett stabs it out to short cover.

A bit short and around off, Brian Bennett opens the bat face and steers it through backward point for a brace.

Flighted, full and on off, Brendan Taylor steps across and eases it down to long on for a run.

Floats it up, full and on off, turns in a bit. Brendan Taylor looks to push it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

Tossed up, full and on off, turns in, Brendan Taylor clips it to short mid-wicket.

Shorter in length and around off, Brian Bennett punches it to sweeper cover for a single. Zimbabwe lead by 100 runs now!

SIX! Makes it look easy! Tosses it up again, full and on middle and leg. Brendan Taylor steps across, brings his wrists into play and whips it nonchalantly over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

More flight, full and around off, Brian Bennett drives it firmly towards extra cover for a quick single.

Loops it up, full and around middle, Brian Bennett fends it back to the bowler.

Flighted, full and on off, Brian Bennett defends it on the front foot.

Floated, full and on middle and leg, Brian Bennett knocks it to the right of the bowler.

Tossed up, full and around off, Brian Bennett pushes it to short cover.

FOUR! Excellent shot! A bit flatter, full and around middle. Brendan Taylor goes down and across and nails the slog sweep to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary. 100 up for Zimbabwe!

Dragged back, around off, Brian Bennett stays back and punches it through cover-point for a run.

More air on this one, full and on off, Brian Bennett strides out and taps it to short cover.

Floated, full and on off, Brendan Taylor goes down and reverse sweeps it through backward point for a single.

Flighted, full and on off, turns away again, Brendan Taylor offers no shot at it.

Tossed up, full and around off, turns away, Brendan Taylor leaves it alone.

Flatter, full and on off, Brendan Taylor drills it down to long off for one more.

Drops it short, around off, Brian Bennett punches it to sweeper cover for one.

Slower through the air, full and on middle. Brendan Taylor goes down for the slog sweep but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball lobs up and goes past the keeper for a run.

Tossed up, full and on off, Brendan Taylor gets forward and taps it to short cover.

Flighted, full and ono ff, Brian Bennett drives it towards mid off for a single.

Floated, full and on leg, Brian Bennett tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Gets away with one, does Qais. Floated up well down the leg side, but this time Brendan Taylor misses the sweep. Ikram Alikhil even appeals for a caught behind after pouching the ball, but the umpire is having none of it.

FOUR! Easy pickings. Flatter again, drifting onto the pads. Taylor sits down and plays a dab sweep, getting it down to fine leg for a boundary.

Flatter again and around off, Qais Ahmad nearly falls over to the off side while delivering the ball. Bennett punches it through the off side for one more.

Tossed up on off, Taylor drives it down to long off for a single.

Quicker one, full and angled down the leg side. Taylor fails to flick it away.

Loopy delivery, very full and outside off. Bennett squeezes it firmly to the left of deep point and picks up a single.

Tossed up around off, Taylor leans on to defend. Time for a DRINKS BREAK as well. Zimbabwe are going strong after losing a couple of early wickets and are 75 runs ahead at the moment. Afghanistan will be looking for a wicket or two before Day 4 ends.

Can Qais Ahmad get a bit more control and end the over well?

Tossed up, in and around off stump. Taylor leans on to defend again.

Floated up on off stump, and with mid off now back on the fence, Taylor opts to block it off.

FOUR! BT is unstoppable at the moment! Flighted delivery around off, Taylor skips down the track and hits with the spin, lofting it over mid off for yet another boundary. Zimbabwe's lead has now quickly moved to 75.

Pushed through a bit quicker and outside off, Taylor defends it out.

FOUR! It's like poetry in motion. Full and straight, Taylor just keeps a still head and hammers it back over the umpire's head for a boundary.

Full-ish length, outside off, pushed away past the cover fielder for a quick single.

Pushed through flatter this time, just outside off. Taylor blocks it off.

SIX! Such a lovely shot, and Brendan Taylor brings up his FIFTY. He follows up the ton from the first innings with another superb knock. Flighted up on the stumps, a bit too full. Taylor leans ahead and hits through the line, laucnhing it straight back down the ground for a biggie.

Drifted into the pads again by Qais, and Bennett works it off the back foot through leg gully for another single.

Bowled from the front of the hand, quicker and angled into the pads. Taylor nurdles it down behind square leg and picks up a single.

A low full toss around off, Taylor leans on and strokes it to mid off.

Ooh, that kept low. Good length again, bowled flatter and on off. Bennett looks to play off the back foot but the ball just skids through and nearly sneaks under the bat. Bennett does well to get something on it.

Good length on off, Bennett rocks back and pushes it out into the off side.

Zia sees Taylor looking to step out and just pulls the length back. Taylor ajdusts and stays put, dabbing it square through cover for a single.

Lobbed up at the stumps, not all that full and kept out by Taylor.

FOUR! What a stark contrast to the previous ball. Tossed up on the stumps, Brendan Taylor decides to step out and hammers it over mid on for a boundary.

A pearler from Zia-ur-Rehman, but Taylor survives. Nicly flighted up, fairly full and on off. Zia gets the ball to dip and then turn away sharply. Taylor leans on to block but the ball whizzes past the outside edge and Ikram Alikhil is quick to dislodge the bails. However, replays later confirm that Taylor is just in.

Is that stumped? The keeper, Ikram Alikhil, looks pretty certain that it is out. The third umpire has a look and it seems pretty close on the first replay. It seems like Brendan Taylor's back leg lands exactly when the bails are dislodged. After zooming in, it is found that Taylor had his foot inside the crease a fraction before the bails came off. NOT OUT.

A bit fuller now, just outside off, Bennett gets halfway forward and keeps it out on the off side.

Flatter this time, pushed in towards middle stump. Bennett rocks back and stabs it out to cover.

Tossed up, pretty full and landing it around leg stump. Bennett works it away down to the right of deep backward square leg and picks up a brace.

Tossed up on off and middle, attacking the stumps. Bennett leans forward and blocks it off.

Drifted in a bit from outside off, getting it to turn away. Taylor eases it to sweeper cover and turns the strike over.

Starts on the money. Fuller one around middle, good energy into the delivery. Taylor gets forward to defend.

A change in the bowling as Qais Ahmad comes in to replace Mohammad Saleem.

Beautifully played, but that's a good hustle from the fielder as well. Floated up on middle, Bennett uses his wrists to clip it to the left of mid on. Qais Ahmad runs after it and pulls it back in, keeping it down to two runs. Zimbabwe's lead is now worth 50 runs.

Nice and full, just outside off. Brian Bennett strokes it firmly on the up but to extra cover.

Good running. Floated up around off, pushed away with the turn and wide of extra cover for a single. Taylor has to hurry in the end because he was jogging along a bit too much.

A flatter arm-ball now, full and darted into the pads. Brendan Taylor sits down to sweep but fails to connect and gets struck on the front pad.

Straighter now, attacking the stumps. Taylor blocks it off the inside half of the blade and onto the leg side.

Nicely flighted, full and on off stump. Taylor blocks it off.

Pitched up and on off, Brian Bennett drives it down the pitch. Mohammad Saleem gets low on his follow-through but fails to stop it. The fielder from mid off runs after it but slips and ends up parrying it further away, allowing the second run.

Back of a length but down the leg side, Brian Bennett makes an easy leave.

FOUR! Lovely shot! A half-volley, around off. Brian Bennett leans into the drive nicely and creams it through covers for four more runs.

Comes around the wicket, lands this back of a length, on middle, Brendan Taylor gets on his toes and works it through square leg for a single. Zimbabwe lead by 41 runs now!

Dug into the surface, but down the leg side, Brendan Taylor leaves it alone.

FOUR! Up and over! Short of a length and well outside off. Brendan Taylor accepts the width on offer, hops up, extends his arms and ramps it over backward point for a boundary. 50 up for Zimbabwe!

Drops it short, around off, Brian Bennett punches it to extra cover.

Flighted, full and on middle, Brendan Taylor clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Fine shot! Flatter, full and down the leg side, there to be put away. Brendan Taylor gets down on one knee and sweeps it away through backward square leg for another boundary.

Floated, full and on off, Brendan Taylor defends it on the front foot.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Brendan Taylor prods forward and blocks it out.

A loopy delivery, on middle. Brendan Taylor uses his feet, takes it on the full and swipes it off the inner half of the bat over mid-wicket. Qais Ahmad chases after it and stops it with his foot. Two taken.

Hard length and around leg, Brendan Taylor clips it through square leg for a single.

Tries the yorker, but this is a low full toss, on off. Brendan Taylor jams it out to short cover.

Another bumper, on middle and leg, Brendan Taylor ducks under it again.

Back of a length and on off, Brendan Taylor stays back and pats it to short cover.

Short of a length and on middle, angling into the body of the batter. Brendan Taylor hops up to get on top of the bounce and keeps it out on the pitch.

Bangs in a quick and sharp bouncer, on middle, Brendan Taylor ducks under it.

Flighted, full and on middle, Brian Bennett knocks it down the pitch.

Slows it up, full and on middle and off, Brian Bennett dfends it on the front foot.

The next batter in is Brian Bennett.

OUT! TAKEN! Ben Curran has thrown his wicket away here, and he will be kicking himself for playing this shot. Zia-ur-Rehman gives this one some more air, full and on middle, tempting the batter. Curran falls into the trap and tries to loft it down the ground but fails to get under it and does not get the elevation. It flies straight to the man at mid on, where Shahidullah Kamal takes a good reverse-cup catch. Zimbabwe are 38/2, leading by 28 runs.

Flighted, full and on middle, Brendan Taylor clips it wide of mid on for a single.

Arm ball, full and on middle, angling in and skids through. Brendan Taylor gets forward and fends it down the pitch.

Tossed up, full and on off, Brendan Taylor defends it on the front foot.

Much fuller and outside off, angling away, Ben Curran leaves it alone.

Hard length and on off, Brendan Taylor stays back and punches it wide of mid off for a single.

Back of a length and just around off, Brendan Taylor leaves it alone.

Pitched up and on off, Brendan Taylor fends it away as the ball rolls to short cover.

Touch fuller and on off, Brendan Taylor gets half-forward and taps it to short cover. Taylor has taken his bottom hand off the bat on the both the balls in this over.

Good length and on middle, nips back in, Brendan Taylor gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

Gets away with it! Zia-ur-Rehman bowls this slower through the air, full and on middle, turns away a bit. Brendan Taylor uses his feet to work it across the line but gets a leading edge. It lobs up in the air but goes well wide of first slip. They cross.

Loopy delivery, full and around off, Brendan Taylor drills it away to extra cover.

Drops it short, on middle, Ben Curran moves back and punches it to long on for a single.

Flighted, full and on off, turns in, Ben Curran lunges out and tucks it to short leg.

Floated, full and on off, Ben Curran prods forward and blocks it out.

Tossed up, full and around off, Ben Curran strides out and drives it firmly to mid off.

Zia-ur-Rehman to continue from the other end after the break.

Just short of a length, on off, holds its line. Brendan Taylor leaves it alone.

On a length and on off, Brendan Taylor pushes it away to short cover.

Hits the deck hard and around off, Brendan Taylor rides the bounce and stabs it out to short cover.

FOUR! Nicely done! Touch fuller and on middle, angling into the pads. Brendan Taylor flicks it away with good timing through backward square leg for a boundary.

Back of a length and outside off, Brendan Taylor puches it away to cover-point.

Good length and on off, jags back in with some extra bounce. Brendan Taylor gets half-forward to block but the ball hits him high on the bat, forcing him to take his bottom hand off it.

Welcome back to the post-Tea session on Day 4. The umpires are back out in the middle and so are the players of Afghanistan. Ben Curran and Brendan Taylor also walk out to resume their stay at the crease. It will be Mohammad Saleem to start proceedings with the ball. Let's go...

... DAY 4, SESSION 3 ...

Shah's masterclass puts the Afghans ahead - Rahmat Shah and Zia-ur-Rehman resumed with Afghanistan trailing by just 39 runs, and the former continued to bat with composure, managing the strike well and shielding his partner. However, the new ball brought an immediate breakthrough as Blessing Muzarabani ended their 92-run stand. Shah went on to bring up a magnificent 150, further reducing the deficit, but fell to Graeme Cremer before Newman Nyamhuri wrapped up the innings with a five-wicket haul. The openers for Zimbabwe then had around half an hour to negotiate before Tea, but Innocent Kaia could not last long. Brendan Taylor, though, came out with positive intent, while Ben Curran provided good support as Zimbabwe reclaimed the lead, stretching it to 20 runs by the break. Join us at 11 am GMT for the last session.

10.41 am GMT - TEA, DAY 4! A session that belonged to Afghanistan, but the game remains finely poised with neither side able to claim the upper hand. Rahmat Shah was the mainstay with a magnificent 173, guiding his side to a slender 10-run lead, before Zia-ur-Rehman struck with a wicket to give Afghanistan another boost heading into Tea.

Well kept out, and that will be Tea on Day 4. Full-ish length, floated up on off stump. Curran stays back and solidly blocks it off.

Nagging length, just outside off, Curran defends it past silly point.

Zia drags the length back, bowling it flatter and at the stumps. Curran uses the depth of the crease to block it off.

A good-looking shot for no run. Lobbed up, way too full and wide. Ben Curran hammers the drive straight to the cover fielder.

Nagging length, sliding it into the legs. Taylor leans on and nurdles it to the right of short leg, and gets it through for another easy single.

Dragged length outside off, Curran backs away and stabs it down to the right of backward point, picking up a single in the deep.

FOUR! Uppish, but in the gap! Length ball, well wide of the off stump. Brendan Taylor stands tall and extends his arms, smacking it between point and extra cover for a boundary.

Good bumper from Ziaur, and Taylor is down on the deck. Short-pitched delivery around off, angling back in sharply and around neck height. Taylor does well to bend his right knee and sway away from the line of the ball but ends up falling over.

Full of a good length, on off and just angling away a bit. Taylor stays watchful and jabs at it, pushing it out to cover.