Cricket Match Prediction | Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan | 1st Test | Dec 26 – Can ZIM Start this series on a winning note?

ZIM vs AFG Match Analysis

The first test of the two-match test series between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan is scheduled to take place at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo on December 26, 2024, starting at 2:00 pm BST.

Zimbabwe, after losing both the T20I and ODI series against Afghanistan, will be eager to make a comeback in red-ball cricket. Skipper Craig Ervine will be counting on his team to perform well with both bat and ball in this match. 

Meanwhile, Afghanistan will aim to maintain its winning streak after decisively defeating Zimbabwe in both the T20I and ODI series.

ZIM vs AFG Team Preview & Squads

Zimbabwe 

In the batting department, Zimbabwe will count on players like Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Joylord Gumbie, Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza, and Tadiwanashe Marumani to contribute the majority of the runs. In the bowling department, ZIM will look to Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Brandon Mavuta, and Trevor Gwandu to provide crucial breakthroughs at key moments.

Zimbabwe Squads

Zimbabwe

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

Afghanistan

Afghanistan has selected four uncapped players—Sediqullah Atal, Bahir Shah, Riaz Hassan, and Zahir Shehzad—for the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe. In the batting department, Afghanistan will depend on the likes of Rahmat Shah, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, Sediqullah Atal, Rashid Khan, Ikram Alikhil, and Azmatullah Omarzai to contribute the bulk of the runs.

Since 2021, Rahmat Shah has been Afghanistan’s leading run-scorer in the Test format. In three matches, he has amassed 193 runs at an average of 32.16, including two half-centuries. In the bowling department, AFG will rely on Yasmin Ahmadzai, Rashid Khan, Naveed Zadran, Fareed Ahmad, and Zahir Khan to provide crucial breakthroughs.

Afghanistan Squads

Afghanistan

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Abdul Malik, Afsar Zazai, Bahir Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Ismat Alam, Rahmat Shah, Rashid Khan, Zia-ur-Rehman, Fareed Ahmad, Naveed Zadran, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zahir Khan, Bashir Ahmad, and Zahir Shehzad.

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan outfield report 

Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

For sides bowling first, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo has proven to be an excellent location. In the 25 games that have been played thus far, the side bowling first has won 12 of them. Thundery showers are predicted for all five days of the match, making the weather forecast for the game anything than perfect. In Test matches played at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, the average first-inning score is approximately 300 runs.      

ZIM vs AFG Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

Afghanistan won one of the last two games and ZIM won one.

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Prediction

Cricket analysts predict Afghanistan has a 77% chance of winning.

Disclaimer: This cricket prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.