Zimbabwe Playing 11 vs Afghanistan – 1st Test, Afghanistan tour for Zimbabwe 2024-25

After losing the T20I and ODI series, Zimbabwe will have a better show in the upcoming two-match Test series against Afghanistan. The ZIM vs AFG series is scheduled to be played on Thursday (December 26) at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.

The hosts will have their work cut out for them in the Test series after their dismal show in the ODIs. After the 2-1 loss in the T20I series, the hosts were completely outclassed by Afghanistan in the ODIs. In all the matches, the host batsmen failed to make an impact.

In the first game, they were reeling at 44/5 inside 10 overs when rain brought a premature end to proceedings. Zimbabwe were all out for just 54 runs while chasing 287 runs in the second ODI,

In the mandatory third ODI, their batsmen once again failed to impress as the hosts were all out for 127 runs and lost the match by 8 wickets. With the hosts looking to bounce back in the Test series, we’re taking a look at Zimbabwe playing 11 for the first Test.

Zimbabwe Playing 11 vs Afghanistan – 1st Test, Afghanistan tour for Zimbabwe 2024-25:

Openers: Ben Curran, Joylord Gumbie

Ben Curran and Joylord Gumbie will be the first in the Playing 11. After a disastrous batting performance in the ODIs, they will have a good display in the Test series.

The onus will be on Curran and Gumbie to get their team off to a good start. Curran is expected to make his Test debut in the next match. He recently made his debut for the hosts in the ODI series against Afghanistan and failed to impress, posting scores of 15, 0 and 12.

Curran has over 2500 runs in first class cricket and will put up a good show on his debut. Gumbie, on the other hand, played in just one ODI against Afghanistan and was out for three runs in that match. The upcoming Test will be only his second appearance in red-ball cricket.

Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Dion Myers, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza

captain Craig Ervine will look to lead his team from the front in the first Test. With Zimbabwe desperate to turn things around, they will rely heavily on their captain. Ervine failed to impress in the ODI series, with 1*, 4 and 5.

Sean Williams will be one of the most important players in the game. In the two Tests that the hosts and Afghanistan have faced so far, he scored a century in each of those Tests. Williams also expects a similar performance in the next game.

Sikandar Raza is another senior player who will be looking to make an impact with both bat and ball. A handy off-spinner and a reliable middle-order batsman, Raza may prove to be the trump card for the hosts. The likes of Brian Bennett and Dion Myers are the other middle-order options in the Zimbabwe Playing 11.

Players: Newman Nyamhuli, Richard Ngarava, Trevor Gwandu, Blessing Muzarabani

The hosts are expected to include four top-line players in Zimbabwe playing 11 for the first Test. Pacers are Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava, Trevor Gwandu and Blessing of Muzarabani.