Zimbabwe and Afghanistan return to the same Sharjah pitch for the series decider

Zimbabwe and Afghanistan return to the same Sharjah pitch on Friday for a series decider, days after producing the first Test in which one side passed 500 in both innings

The second and final Test of the series begins at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday with the two teams level at 0-0, after a first Test that yielded more than 1,500 runs and six centuries without ever threatening a result.

Zimbabwe made 504 and 523 for 5 declared on either side of Afghanistan's 514, becoming the first team in Test history to pass 500 in both innings of the same match.

They did it under a stand-in captain. Brian Bennett, 22, is leading Zimbabwe in the absence of Richard Ngarava, who is recovering from a back injury.

A surface that offered the bowlers nothing

The Sharjah pitch shaped the match from the first morning and barely changed across five days.

"It did not break up much, and there were not many cracks in the wicket," Bennett said of a surface that gave his seamers no more than it gave Afghanistan's spinners.

Afghanistan's response was to protect their quicks. Captain Rahmat Shah turned to part-time spinners for the last two sessions and left the second new ball unused even after 122 overs.

Zimbabwe, who resumed the final day on 164 for 3, simply batted on.

Ervine's double century at 41

Craig Ervine finished unbeaten on 206 from 279 balls, with 23 fours and two sixes, for the first double century of his Test career at the age of 41.

He is the first player over 40 to reach 200 in a Test since Graham Gooch in 1994.

"When I did get to 100, I never thought that 200 was on the cards," Ervine said.

Three of his boundaries came in a row off Abdul Malik, two of them sixes over midwicket.

Wessly Madhevere brought up his maiden Test hundred at the other end and was 100 not out when the innings was closed, the pair adding an unbroken 208.

Afghanistan answered with Rahmat Shah

Afghanistan's 514 was built on their captain, who made 173 batting at number four.

Sediqullah Atal added 105 as the home side batted deep into the fourth day.

The reply left Afghanistan 10 runs ahead on first innings, the only lead either side held in the match.

Bennett's first Test in charge

Bennett marked his first match as captain with 128 in the first innings and 58 in the second, bowled by Mohammad Saleem.

"It was a very proud moment for myself and my family to lead Zimbabwe for the first time," he said.

Brendan Taylor's 131 from 168 balls had set the first innings up, and debutant Antum Naqvi, included after meeting ICC eligibility criteria, made 61 while reaching his first boundary only on his 102nd ball.

Taylor and Ervine had stayed on in the United Arab Emirates after the one-day tri-series to prepare for the Tests.

What Zimbabwe take into the decider

The 17-man squad keeps much of the side that beat Bangladesh by an innings and 85 runs at Harare Sports Club in June, Zimbabwe's biggest Test win.

Veteran leg-spinner Graeme Cremer is back in the Test squad, with Kundai Matigimu and Vincent Masekesa also recalled and uncapped fast bowler Ernest Masuku included.

Blessing Muzarabani leads a pace attack missing both Ngarava and Tanaka Chivanga for the series.

The second and final Test starts at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday, with a win for either side taking the series.