AFG vs ZIM 1st Test Results

1:05 PM IST Hoping for an even contest - Well, the first Test match between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe has concluded, and it has ended in a draw. A pretty flat surface, which didn't even wear down enough to allow the spinners to come into the game on Days 4 and 5. The batters certainly enjoyed it, though. However, both sides will be hoping that the surface for the next game has a bit more purchase in it for the bowlers. The second and final Test match is scheduled to be played at Sharjah yet again, but it will be a different pitch - not sure if the nature of the pitch itself will be much different. Day 1 is scheduled to begin on Friday, November 13 at 10 am GMT, but you can tune in much sooner and catch our build-up as well. Until next time, then. Cheers!

1:03 PM IST Player of the Match - For scores of 131 and 82, Brendan Taylor is given the accolade. He expresses his delight at being part of a memorable team performance, insisting that the praise should be shared with his teammates, particularly Craig Ervine, Wessly Madhevere and Brian Bennett for their centuries. He says the team's preparation for the tour was thorough, with the coaching and technical staff putting considerable thought into their planning and the squad showing excellent buy-in despite the challenging conditions and humidity. Taylor adds that he has been keen to play with greater bravery, trust the shots he has been working on and keep the game moving. Pleased to see that approach paying off, he hopes to carry the same mindset and strokeplay into the second Test.

1:02 PM IST And finally, the captain of Afghanistan - Rahmat Shah says that he is very happy and he loves his batting. Adds that he assessed the conditions early, trusted his foot movement, and tried to play with a straight bat

1:01 PM IST A chat with Zimbabwe's skipper - Brian Bennett starts by saying that it was a proud moment for him and his family to lead his country for the first time, and overall, it was a humbling experience. He reckons that it was quite difficult to get 10 wickets out there. On Newman Nyamhuri, he says that not only him, but also the way Blessing Muzarabani bowled, especially on such a surface, was great to see. He adds that he hoped to see more turn after Day 2 on this surface, but it wasn't quite there. Bennett ends by saying that they know what to expect conditions-wise in the next Test match, and will try to find a way to take 20 wickets in the game.

12:55 PM IST The bowling coach of Afghanistan  - Hamid Hasan says that their bowlers bowled really well, but the surface was very flat. Adds that they put in a big effort, and bowling over 250 overs in a Test is not easy, but luckily they did not get any injuries. Praises that Saleem is getting better day by day, and he is clocking good speeds of over 140, and hopefully he continues to do that and also represents Afghanistan in white-ball cricket as well. Hasan mentions that there was nothing for the seamers on this wicket, and you need a bowler who can generate pace. Saleem and Zia did an incredible job and if in the next Test, the pitch has something for the pacers, Yamin Ahmadzai can be an option as well. He hopes that the wicket for the next game has something for both the batters and bowlers, which is what everyone wants, and not like this one, where more than 1500 runs were scored and over 450 overs were bowled without getting a result.

12:54 PM IST The Presentation ceremony...