ZIM vs AFG 2024, 1st test: Queens Sports Club field report, statistics and records of the Bulawayo test
Zimbabwe they are ready to host Afghanistan for the first Test of a two-match series at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, starting on 26 December 2024. This match marks a significant occasion as it will be Zimbabwe’s first Boxing Day Test at home in 28 years, which adds to the excitement surrounding it. the device
Both the teams come into this Test series after a successful limited overs segment. Afghanistan recently clinched the T20I series 2-1 and followed it up with a decisive victory by 2-0in the ODI series against Zimbabwe. This strong performance in white-ball cricket has boosted Afghanistan’s confidence as they switch to the red-ball format. Conversely, Zimbabwe will be looking to bounce back from their recent defeats in the shorter formats, aiming to assert their dominance in the Test arena after struggling historically against Afghanistan.
Queens Sports Club Field Report
The pitch at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo is known for its balanced nature, offering a fair contest between batsmen and bowlers. Historically, the average first innings score at this venue has hovered around 307 runs in recent matches, indicating that while scoring can be achieved, it requires skill and patience from the batsmen.
In terms of conditions, the pitch tends to favor the bowlers, especially in the early stages of a match when the new ball may offer some seam movement. However, as the game progresses, it becomes more batting friendly, allowing for better scoring opportunities. Spinners can also find help later in the innings as the surface wears down.
Teams that win the toss are often faced with a strategic decision of whether to bat or bowl first, as both approaches can be successful depending on the conditions of the day. With a mix of humidity and possible cloud cover during the upcoming Test match, the players will need to adapt quickly to the pitch behaviour.
Test statistics and records at Queens Sports Club
- Total matches: 25
- Matches won by batting first: 4
- First Bowling Matches Won: 12
- Average score for 1st Inns: 307
- Average score for 2nd Inns: 395
- Average score for 3rd Inns: 213
- Average score for 4th Inns: 175
- Highest Total Recorded: 713/3 (165.3 Ov) for SL vs ZIM
- Lowest Total Recorded: 104/10 (49 Ov) for ZIM vs WI
READ also: Zimbabwe pick 7 uncapped players in their squad for Afghanistan Tests
ZIM vs AFG: Record encounter in Test cricket
- Total matches: 2
- Afghanistan won: 1
- Zimbabwe won: 1
- Ties: 1
- Highest total for Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe: 545
- Afghanistan’s lowest total against Zimbabwe: 131
- Zimbabwe’s highest total against Afghanistan: 365
- Zimbabwe’s lowest total against Afghanistan: 250
Equipment:
afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Ikram Alikhail (wk), Afsar Zazai (wk), Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Zahir Shehzad, Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad Afghan, Naveed Zadran and Fareed Ahmad Malik
Zimbabwe: Craig Ervine (c), 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 Nyamzauri, Sean Williams .
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