Zimbabwe captain Brian Bennett scored a magnificent century on Day 2 of the first Test against Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday, November 6. The 22-year-old converted his overnight half-century into a three-figure score to strengthen Zimbabwe's position in his first match as Test captain.

Bennett took over the leadership after regular captain Richard Ngarava was ruled out of the ongoing two-match series. Zimbabwe entered the second day in a strong position after Brendan Taylor's century on the opening day, and the visitors continued to put pressure on Afghanistan's bowling attack.

Brian Bennett Scores Century on Test Captaincy Debut Against Afghanistan

Brian Bennett resumed his innings on an overnight score of 71 off 128 deliveries and continued from where he had left off on the opening day. The right-handed batter needed another 50 balls to reach his century. He completed the milestone with a boundary off Ziaur Rahman Sharifi in the 104th over.

It was his third Test century for Zimbabwe. His maiden hundred in the longest format also came against the same opposition in Bulawayo in 2024. He scored another century against England during Zimbabwe's recent tour of Nottingham.

The 22-year-old displayed good control against the Afghan bowlers, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries to keep the scoreboard moving. He was dismissed by Qais Ahmad after scoring 128 runs off 206 balls, including 11 boundaries.

Brian Bennett Joins Elite List of Youngest Captains to Score Test Centuries

At 22 years and 360 days, Brian Bennett became the sixth-youngest captain to score a Test century. He joined an elite list featuring former captains Graeme Smith, Javed Miandad, Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful and Mansur Ali Pataudi.

Bennett also became the second-youngest Zimbabwean captain to achieve the feat. Former wicketkeeper-batter Tatenda Taibu holds the record after scoring a century against Bangladesh in 2005 at the age of 21 years and 245 days.

Youngest Hundreds as Captain in Test Cricket

• 21y 245d – Tatenda Taibu vs Bangladesh, 2005

• 22y 173d – Graeme Smith vs England, 2003

• 22y 180d – Graeme Smith vs England, 2003

• 22y 268d – Javed Miandad vs Australia, 1980

• 22y 314d – Graeme Smith vs West Indies, 2003

• 22y 328d – Shakib Al Hasan vs New Zealand, 2010

• 22y 349d – Graeme Smith vs West Indies, 2004

• 22y 360d – Brian Bennett vs Afghanistan, 2026*

• 22y 361d – Mohammad Ashraful vs Sri Lanka, 2007

• 23y 34d – Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi vs England, 1964

He also became only the fourth Zimbabwean to score a century on his Test captaincy debut. Former captain Dave Houghton was the first to achieve the milestone, scoring 121 against India at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe's inaugural Test match in 1992.

Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine are the other two Zimbabwean players on the list. Taylor scored a century against Bangladesh during an away Test in 2011, while Ervine achieved the feat against the same opposition in 2020.

Brian Bennett smashed the 9th Youngest Hundred as Captain in Test Cricket. 🇿🇼 21y 245d - Tatenda Taibu vs BAN, 2005 🇿🇦 22y 173d - Graeme Smith vs ENG, 2003 🇿🇦 22y 180d - Graeme Smith vs ENG, 2003 🇵🇰 22y 268d - Javed Miandad vs AUS, 1980 🇿🇦 22y 314d - Graeme Smith vs WI, 2003 🇧🇩 22y 328d - Shakib Al Hasan vs NZ, 2010 🇿🇦 22y 349d - Graeme Smith vs WI, 2004 🇧🇩 22y 361d - Mohammad Ashraful vs SL, 2007 🇿🇼 22y 360d* - Brian Bennett vs AFG, 2026 🇮🇳 23y 34d - Mansur Ali Pataudi vs ENG, 1964 4 spot was occupied by Graeme Smith!

— SportsGully Cricket 🏏 (@sportsgullycric) November 6, 2026

Brendan Taylor's 131 Sets Up Zimbabwe's Strong First-Innings Total

Brian Bennett received valuable support from experienced batter Brendan Taylor, who scored 131 off 168 deliveries, including 14 boundaries and four sixes, on the opening day. Taylor became the second-oldest player to score a Test century since the turn of the millennium.

The pair added 137 runs for the third wicket, helping Zimbabwe build a strong platform against Afghanistan. Their partnership also proved important as the Sharjah surface began to deteriorate, with both batters showing patience and selecting their scoring opportunities carefully.

Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 504. Graeme Cremer remained unbeaten on 34 runs off 51 balls, including four boundaries. Mohammad Saleem Safi and Qais Ahmad picked up three wickets each.

Zimbabwe, currently ranked 10th in the ICC Test rankings, are not part of the World Test Championship (WTC). Afghanistan are also ineligible as they do not have an official Test ranking. Under the WTC rules, only the top nine teams in the ICC Test rankings qualify for the competition.