With the series of white balls ready and dusted, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will now play a two match ZIM vs AFG test series against each other. The much-anticipated first ZIM vs AFG Test will be played from Thursday (December 26) at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
Earlier in the ongoing tour, Afghanistan played 3 T20Is and as many ODIs against Zimbabwe. The ZIM vs AFG tournament started on a losing note for the visitors as they lost the first T20I by 4 wickets. However, they came back and won the next two games to end the series.
In the ODI series, Zimbabwe were no match for Afghanistan. After rain washed out the first ODI, Afghanistan defeated the home team by 232 runs in the second game. In the third game, Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by 8 wickets to win the series 2–0.
With both Afghanistan and Zimbabwe eyeing a winning start to the Test series, here's a preview of the game.
ZIM vs AFG Match Preview – First Test, Afghanistan Tour of Zimbabwe 2024-25:
ZIM vs AFG first test, date and place:
The first Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Test is scheduled to be played from Thursday (December 26). Venue of the game is Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
Teams:
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 Ngarahuri, Newman Nyamka, Sean Williams
Afghanistan:
Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Ikram Alikhail (WK), Afsar Zazai (WK), Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Zahir Shehzad, Rashid Khan, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah Mahboob , Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Yamin Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad Afghan, Naveed Zadran, Fareed Ahmad Malik and AM Ghazanfar.
ZIM vs AFG Key Battles
AM Ghazanfar vs Sean Williams:
Sean Williams has a brilliant record against Zimbabwe in Tests. The senior batsman holds the record for most runs in Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Tests. In the two Tests he has played against Afghanistan so far, Williams has scored 264 runs, including 2 centuries.
Williams will look to replicate the same performance in the upcoming series. He could make a big difference in the series and Afghanistan will rely on their spinner AM Ghazanfar to stop the Zimbabwean batsman. In the recent ODI series, Ghazanfar took 9 wickets, including a 5-wicket haul in the third game.
Richard Ngarava vs Sediqullah Atal:
Sediqullah Atal looked in brilliant form in the ODI series against Zimbabwe. After the first game was bowled out, he scored 104 runs in the second ODI. In the third ODI, he scored 52 runs and finished the series as the highest run scorer.
With form on his side, Atal will be eyeing more success in the first Test. Zimbabwe will hope that the Afghanistan opener does not score big and will rely on their fast bowler Richard Ngarava to send him back.
Hashmatullah Shahidi vs Sikandar Raza:
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi will look to lead his side from the front. A reliable middle-order batsman, Shahidi has already scored a double century against Zimbabwe in Tests and will look to live up to expectations in the upcoming Test as well.
Zimbabwe will hope that Sikandar Raza, their senior, does not let Shahidi score big. A handy player Raza can cause a lot of problems for Shahidi who is a left handed batsman.
Key players ZIM vs AFG
ZIM – Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava will be the key players for Zimbabwe.
AFG – Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, AM Ghazanfar and Fareed Ahmed will be the key players for Afghanistan.
Conclusion:
Both Zimbabwe and Afghanistan will be looking to start the Test series on a winning note. While the momentum is certainly with Afghanistan after their win in the T20I and ODI series, the home conditions are with Zimbabwe and they will be looking to make the most of it.