Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Head to Head Record, 1st Test: Afghanistan Tour of Zimbabwe 2024, Stats and Results

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ZIM vs AFG 1st Test: Zimbabwe and Afghanistan are set to face off in the first Test of their two-match series at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, starting December 26, 2024. This fixture carries historical significance for Zimbabwe, marking their first home Boxing Day Test in 28 years.

Despite recent defeats to Afghanistan in the T20I and ODI formats, the hosts are eager to make a strong comeback in red-ball cricket. For Afghanistan, this Test series is an opportunity to build on their dominant performances in white-ball cricket, where they secured victories in both the T20I (2-1) and ODI (2-0) series.

However, both sides come into this Test series with minimal recent exposure to the format. Zimbabwe last played a Test in July 2024, losing to Ireland, while Afghanistan's scheduled match against New Zealand in September 2024 was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Match Information

• Date: December 26 - 30, 2024
• Time: 1:30 pm IST
• Venue: Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
• Streaming: FanCode Website and App

Team News

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe will be led by Craig Ervine and include experienced players such as Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Blessing Muzarabani, and Richard Ngarava. The squad also features several uncapped players, including Ben Curran, Johnathan Campbell, and Tadiwanashe Marumani, as the team seeks to rebuild and find fresh talent.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan, captained by Hashmatullah Shahidi, boasts a balanced squad with key players like Rashid Khan, Rahmat Shah, and Azmatullah Omarzai. The visitors will aim to translate their white-ball success into the Test format.

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Test Head-to-Head Record

• Total played: 1
• Zimbabwe win: 0
• Afghanistan win: 0
• Draw: 1

Pitch and Weather Report

Pitch Report

The surface at Queens Sports Club is known for its balance, offering assistance to both batters and bowlers. The average first-innings score at the venue is 307, indicating that disciplined batting and strategic bowling will be crucial. Early in the match, the new ball could generate movement for seamers, while spinners are expected to play a significant role as the pitch deteriorates.

Weather Report

The weather is expected to be a mix of humidity and occasional cloud cover, potentially aiding swing bowling early on. Teams will face a strategic dilemma at the toss, as both batting and bowling first have proven effective at this venue. Adaptability will be the key to success in this highly anticipated clash.

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Complete Squads

Zimbabwe Squad: 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 Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams

Afghanistan Squad: 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