ZIM vs AFG match preview

With the white ball series done and dusted, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will now play a two-match ZIM vs AFG Test series against each other. The much anticipated ZIM vs AFG first test will be played from Thursday (December 26) at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.

Before the ongoing tour, Afghanistan played 3 T20Is and other ODIs against Zimbabwe. The ZIM vs AFG tour started on a losing note for the visitors as they lost the first T20I by 4 wickets. However, they bounced back and won the next two games to clinch the series.

In the ODI series, Zimbabwe were no match for Afghanistan. After rain ended the first ODI, Afghanistan thrashed the home team by 232 runs in the second game. In the third match, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by 8 wickets to clinch the series 2–0.

With Afghanistan and Zimbabwe looking for a winning start to the Test series, here’s a preview of the game.

ZIM vs AFG Match Preview – 1st Test, Afghanistan Tour for Zimbabwe 2024-25:

ZIM vs AFG 1st test, date and place:

The first Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Test is scheduled to be played from Thursday (December 26). The venue for the match is the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.

Equipment:

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 Nyamzahuri, 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 scoring the most runs in Afghanistan’s Tests against Zimbabwe. In the two Tests he has played against Afghanistan so far, Williams has scored 264 runs, including 2 centuries.

Williams will also be looking to replicate the same performance in the next series. He could make a huge difference in the series and Afghanistan will rely on their spinner AM Ghazanfar to stop the Zimbabwean batsman. In the recent ODI series, Ghazanfar picked up 9 wickets, including a haul of 5 in the third game.

Richard Ngarava vs Sediqullah Atal:

Sediqullah Atal was 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 more successful in the first Test. Zimbabwe will hope Afghanistan’s opener doesn’t score big and will rely on their fast bowler Richard Ngarava to send them 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 be looking to live up to expectations in the upcoming Test as well.

Zimbabwe will hope that their senior all-rounder Sikandar Raza does not let Shahidi score big. A handy Raza off the wire can cause a lot of trouble for Shahidi, who is a left-handed batsman.

ZIM vs AFG key players

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 definitely 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.