Afghanistan VS Zimbabwe Match ball by ball Commentary

Not what Shah and co. would have wanted - Given the barren nature of the pitch, the first hour with the new ball was all that crucial, and despite hitting some good areas, the Afghan pacers failed to make any early inroads. Qais Ahmad got a lucky breakthrough in the first session before Mohammad Saleem bowled his heart out in a spell early in the second session to level the playing field a bit. However, after the wicket of Ben Curran, Afghanistan were put on the back foot as Brendan Taylor played some eye-catching shots and kept on finding the fence against the spinners. In the latter half of the final session, things did change as Hashmatullah Shahidi sent Taylor packing, and then Zia-ur-Rehman struck twice in quick succession to bring the hosts back in the mix. But it didn't last long as Wessly Madhevere counter-attacked and Brian Bennett refused to make a mistake at the other end, ensuring that Zimbabwe head into Day 2 out in front. So, do join us for all the action from Day 2, tomorrow, starting at 6 am GMT. You can also tune in sooner to our build-up. Cheers!

Let's now hear from Zimbabwe's star batter himself - Brendan Taylor feels he left a few runs out there but is pleased with the day's work overall. Mentions that this is his 4th Test since returning and that a lot of hard work has gone into getting back to this level. Stresses the importance of not allowing the spinners to settle, adding that he wants to dictate terms against them. Says he has worked a lot on his sweep shot, and it's coming in handy here. Feels they scored at a good rate despite the slow outfield and points out that they bat deep, right down to number 8.

Taylor's ton lights up Day 1 - After electing to bat first, Zimbabwe justified their captain's call and the openers put on a 60-run stand. Innocent Kaia got out in an unfortunate way, as Ben Curran added a further 65 runs, along with Brendan Taylor. The two did well but Curran got out in the second session and Taylor took control, with skipper Brian Bennett playing second fiddle. Heading into the final session, Taylor was already in the 90s, and he notched up a stunning century, about 8 years after his previous Test century and the visitors looked in command. However, Taylor's wicket caused a mini collapse and Zimbabwe went from 262/2 to 287/5. Bennett kept fighting and brought up his fifty before Wessly Madhevere came in and provided late impetus with the bat, putting Zimbabwe in a strong position.

1.17 pm GMT - STUMPS, DAY 1 - A bit of an anticlimax at the end of Day 1. Rahmat Shah probably wasted a bit too much time taking the second new ball, and in the end, Afghanistan could only get a few balls in with the second new ball. Overall, it certainly was Zimbabwe's day, and they have scored 326 runs with 5 wickets down and have a real shot at going past the 400-run mark.

Ziaur Rahman is ready at the top of his mark, but the two umpires believe that the light is not good enough for play to continue. And that will be that for the day. Rahmat Shah is clearly unhappy with the decision and has a lengthy discussion with umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal.

Direct hit! Afghanistan are celebrating. It has been sent upstairs. Brian Bennett is just in, the replays confirm.

Right, Afghanistan have decided to take the new ball.