Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan - 1st Test - Squad and Key Players

Updated At: 2024/12/22

The Afghanistan tour to Zimbabwe has reached its last leg. Zimbabwe will now host Afghanistan for a 2-match Test series. The first fixture is scheduled to begin on 26th December at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Afghanistan scored a dominating win over the hosts in the ODI format by 0-2. They also won the T20 series against the hosts by 1-2. The visitors are high on confidence and that confidence will immensely help them in the red-ball format against the hosts. The cricket betting websites will have the best odds for ZIM vs AFG 1st Test.

Zimbabwe played its first Test in 1992 but because of the political turmoil in the country, the quality of cricket has gone down and they missed out on crucial Test fixtures in the last 2 decades. The hosts have been part of 113 Test since 1992 and they carry a record of a record of 13 wins, 25 draws, and 75 defeats.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, is a relatively new squad to play the red-ball format. They became the 12th nation to play the Test format and played their first Test in 2018. Since then, Afghanistan has been part of 9 test matches, and they carry a record of 3 wins and 6 defeats.

Zimbabwe was last seen playing the Test format against Ireland in July this year at the Stormont Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was an unfortunate loss for the hosts and things worked against them in every aspect. Check out the match prediction for ZIM vs AFG 1st Test.

Afghanistan had an unexpected ending to their previous Test. Their previous Test was scheduled to take place against New Zealand but because of the interruption due to rains, the fixture was abandoned.

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan - 1st Test - Squads

Zimbabwe

Craig Ervine (captain), Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Takudzwa Chataira, Joylord Gumbie, Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brandon Mavuta, Nyasha Mayavo, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams

Zimbabwe will be under the leadership of Craig Ervine. He is also the leader of the team in the ODI format and carries a good experience of captaincy. Batters Ben Curran and Johnathan Campbell, wicketkeepers Tadiwanashe Marumani and Nyasha Mayavo, and pace bowlers Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwa Chataira and Newman Nyamhuri are also part of the squad.

26-year-old right-arm seamer Chataira is the new face of the team in the 5-day format. He is currently the 6th highest wicket-taker Logan Cup first-class competition of Zimbabwe.

Probable Playing XI

Craig Ervine (captain), Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Joylord Gumbie, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams

Afghanistan

Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Ikram Alikhail (wk), Afsar Zazai (wk), Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Bahir Shah, Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman, Zahir Shehzad, Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad, Naveed Zadran, Fareed Ahmad

For Afghanistan, Hashmatullah Shahidi will be the leading man. Rashid Khan is making his return to the squad and that will be the biggest boost for the team against the hosts. He was on a break from the long forms of cricket due to his groin injury.

Allrounder Ismat Alam, left-arm spinner Zahir Shehzad and left-arm quick Bashir Ahmad Afghan are the three new faces in the team who are selected on the basis of their performance in domestic cricket. Azmatullah Omarzai, Fareed Ahmad, Riaz Hassan and Sediqullah Atal are also named in the Test squad who will make their debut for the team against Zimbabwe.

Probable Playing XI

Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Ikram Alikhail (wk), Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Khan, Rashid Khan, Naveed Zadran, Fareed Ahmad

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan - 1st Test - Key Players

1) Richard Ngarava - Zimbabwe

Considering the amount of Test cricket Zimbabwe has played, Richard Ngarava will be their key player in the 1st Test. He is one of the most prominent wicket-takers for Zimbabwe and has seen some success in the ODI format. It will be interesting to see how can he transform his ODI success into the 5-day format.

Test Career Stats	Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy
Richard Ngarava	5	9	52.77	3.65

2) Rashid Khan - Afghanistan

The return of Rashid Khan in the red-ball format marks an important changeover for the visitors. He is a master of all three formats and will play a key role for the team in the long form of cricket as well. In 2024, Rashid has not displayed his batting brilliance much but he will be the most effective bowler for Afghanistan.

Test Career Stats - Bowling	Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy
Rashid Khan	5	34	22.35	2.97

Test Career Stats - Batting	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
Rashid Khan	5	106	15.14	79.69