Long-time supporters of Zimbabwe will recognise Sunday's headlines - after all, plucky Zimbabwe snatching defeat from the jaws of victory is an old habit from the 1990s. But even if we're to take the pessimistic view, and see Zimbabwe losing seven wickets in the final session to go down in a Test match they could have won, then we unavoidably arrive at an overwhelming positive: they have competed to the last, and deserve to be playing Test cricket again. In their own funny way, Zimbabwe are back.

There were many times over the past five days when they could easily have given up on themselves and folded. On day one New Zealand won a useful toss and lost few wickets, but at no point were they allowed to score freely as Zimbabwe showed intelligence in setting straight fields and bowling tightly, a ploy which ultimately paid off as they limited the Kiwis to 426 when 526 looked more likely.

In their own first innings Zimbabwe fell to 198 for five with only debutants and tail-enders to come, as opportunities were wasted, yet they recovered to post a total that kept them in the game more than anyone would have predicted at the time. They took early wickets in New Zealand's second innings, and very nearly bowled them out despite the Black Caps reaching a breezy 155 for three on the fourth afternoon.

Yet it was day five on which they lost the match but gained admirers, not just for their continued refusal to lie down but also for their insistence on pushing for the win. A draw would have looked a highly respectable result in the record books, but Zimbabwe shunned mediocrity and won everyone's respect in the process.

"There were a lot of nerves, but the guys carried on and kept trying to push for the win, and that's why we're all very proud of each other," Brendan Taylor said afterwards. "We could have shut up shop with an hour and a bit left in the game but the guys were still fairly positive, so it was just a good positive day today and the guys can hold their heads high."

Taylor will no doubt be accused by some for turning the game in New Zealand's favour when he senselessly got out in the same fashion as he'd earned a lucky reprieve before the tea break. Yet he only carries that burden because he gets his team into match-winning situations in the first place, and he can certainly find consolation in the words of Daniel Vettori.

"The innings that he played today would rival the innings that any of the best batsmen in the world could play," Vettori told Cricket365. "We realised what a special innings it was, and that's what put us on the back foot. There aren't many guys in Test cricket who can play that well."

Taylor's dismissal to the second ball after tea would have put the shackles on most other teams. But this new Zimbabwe team have shown that they have a bit of attitude - most notably when they chased down 328 in the third one-dayer - and even after Tatenda Taibu and Malcolm Waller had gone through a cautious period it was clear that they weren't settling for the draw. When Taibu and Regis Chakabva had been dismissed, they even sent in Njabulo Ncube as something of a pinch hitter.

"It put us under pressure the whole time but in some ways it probably opened the door for us as well," Vettori reflected. "I think if they'd shut up shop on that wicket it would have been difficult, but good on them for trying. I think everyone would have sat back and said that this was a great Test match, to go into the final six overs, people want to see those sort of matches."

If there is a concern it is that Zimbabwe will slide back into those old habits from the '90s, and habits can be difficult to break. Victory here could have broken the spell and provided the unwavering belief required to win from similar positions in the future. But this is still an inexperienced team who should get better with time. For now they can look back with pride and enjoy the new supporters they gained on a great day for them, and for Test cricket.