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The highly anticipated Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 1st Test match will commence on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. Both teams are eager to prove themselves in the longest format of the game, making this encounter a must-watch for cricket enthusiasts. Let’s dive into the match details, team previews, fantasy team predictions, and more.
Table of content
- 1 Match Details
- 2 Team Previews
- 3 Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Squad
- 4 Dream11 Prediction for Today Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 1st Test
- 5 Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Head-to-Head
- 6 T20 History
- 7 Pitch Report
- 8 Weather Report
- 9 Toss Prediction
- 10 Match Prediction
- 11 FAQ – AFG vs ZIM 1st TEST
- 12 Share this:
- 13 Like this:
- 14 Related
Match Details
| Match | AFG vs ZIM, 1st Test, Afghanistan Tour of Zimbabwe, 2024-25 |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, December 26 – Monday, December 30, 2024 |
| Time | 1:30 PM (IST) |
| Venue | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo |
| Broadcast | Live Streaming on Fancode |
Team Previews
Afghanistan Preview
Afghanistan may not have much experience in Test cricket, but they have shown promise in their limited outings. Placed at 12th on the ICC Test Rankings, the team is led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, a composed batter with leadership qualities.
Youngster Sediqullah Atal, who is set to make his Test debut, will be the player to watch out for, as he aims to replicate his stellar performances in white-ball cricket. Afghanistan’s batting also features experienced campaigners like Rahmat Shah and Ikram Alikhil, who have shown resilience in the past.
The bowling department will revolve around the brilliance of Rashid Khan, one of the world’s premier spinners. His ability to extract sharp turns will be a key factor on the Bulawayo track. Support from Zahir Khan and Yamin Ahmadzai makes their attack versatile.
Zimbabwe Preview
Zimbabwe, currently ranked 11th in Test cricket, is in desperate need of redemption after losing three consecutive Test series. Led by veteran Craig Ervine, the team has a mix of experience and youth.
Sikandar Raza, known for his all-round capabilities, will play a crucial role in holding the batting lineup together. The experienced Sean Williams and the promising Dion Myers will also be vital in stabilizing the innings.
Zimbabwe’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Blessing Muzarabani, will look to exploit the conditions at Queens Sports Club. Muzarabani’s ability to generate bounce and swing makes him a potent threat, supported by Richard Ngarava and Brandon Mavuta.
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Squad
Zimbabwe Squad: Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Craig Ervine (c), Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Sean Williams, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza, Takudzwa Chataira, Brian Bennett, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Brandon Mavuta, Trevor Gwandu, Johnathan Campbell, Ben Curran, Joylord Gumbie, Nyasha Mayavo, Newman Nyamhuri
Afghanistan Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rahmat Shah, Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Bahir Shah, Abdul Malik, Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Shehzad, Bashir Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Zahir Khan, Naveed Zadran, Zia-ur-Rehman, Yamin Ahmadzai, Afsar Zazai
Dream11 Prediction for Today Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 1st Test
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Hashmatullah Shahidi (C) | Batter |
| Sikandar Raza (VC) | All-rounder |
| Rahmat Shah | Batter |
| Sediqullah Atal | Batter |
| Craig Ervine | Batter |
| Sean Williams | All-rounder |
| Rashid Khan | Bowler |
| Blessing Muzarabani | Bowler |
| Richard Ngarava | Bowler |
| Ikram Alikhil | Wicketkeeper |
| Yamin Ahmadzai | Bowler |
Fantasy XI Explanation
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (C): A consistent batter with a calm head, ideal for the Test format.
- Sikandar Raza (VC): An experienced all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball.
- Rashid Khan: The most impactful spinner in this matchup.
- Blessing Muzarabani: Zimbabwe’s strike bowler who can exploit seam-friendly conditions.
Players to Avoid
- Takudzwanashe Kaitano: Struggled for form in recent matches.
- Zahir Khan: Likely to have limited impact on a seam-friendly pitch.
Also Check: Get The Best Dream11 Prediction From Cricket Experts
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Head-to-Head
| Matches Played | Afghanistan Wins | Zimbabwe Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
The head-to-head record in Tests is evenly poised, with each team winning once. However, Afghanistan has looked more promising in recent years.
T20 History
Afghanistan
Afghanistan has played 9 Test matches, winning 3 and losing 6. They are a team on the rise in international cricket, with a fearless approach and a penchant for producing world-class spinners like Rashid Khan.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has played 118 Test matches, winning 13 and losing 76, with 29 draws. Although struggling in recent years, Zimbabwe remains a side with potential, especially in home conditions.
Pitch Report
The pitch at Queens Sports Club is known for offering early assistance to pacers. Spinners may come into play as the match progresses. The average first-innings score is around 280-300, making batting challenging early on.
| Queens Sports Club |
| City | Bulawayo | ||
| Country | Zimbabwe | ||
| First Test Match | 20/10/1994 | ||
| Matches Played | 25 | ||
| Matches Won Batting First | 4 (16.00%) | ||
| Matches Won Batting Second | 12 (48.00%) | ||
| Matches Drawn | 9 (36.00%) | ||
| Highest Individual Innings | 270 | K C Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) | 14/05/2004 v Zimbabwe |
| Best Bowling (Innings) | 8/109 | P A Strang (Zimbabwe) | 12/09/2000 v New Zealand |
| Best Bowling (Match) | 13/99 | G Gudakesh Motie (West Indies) | 12/02/2023 v Zimbabwe |
| Highest Team Innings | 713/3 dec (Sri Lanka) | 14/05/2004 v Zimbabwe | |
| Lowest Team Innings | 104 (Zimbabwe) | 12/11/2003 v West Indies | |
| Highest Run Chase Achieved | 184/2 (India) | 07/06/2001 v Zimbabwe | |
| Average Runs per Wicket | 34.17 | ||
| Average Score Batting First | 308 | ||
Located in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, the Queens Sports Club is a historic cricket venue that has hosted 25 Test matches since its first Test on 20th October 1994.
Teams batting second have fared better, winning 12 matches (48.00%), compared to 4 wins (16.00%) for teams batting first. The ground has also seen 9 drawn matches (36.00%).
Notable performances include K C Sangakkara’s 270 runs in 2004 and P A Strang’s 8/109 bowling figures in 2000. Sri Lanka’s 713/3 declared remains the highest team total, while Zimbabwe’s 104 all out is the lowest.
With an average first-innings score of 308 and balanced conditions, Queens Sports Club offers thrilling Test cricket action.
Weather Report
The weather in Bulawayo is expected to be sunny, with temperatures ranging between 25°C and 32°C. There is no significant rain forecast, ensuring uninterrupted play.
Toss Prediction
Our Winner: Afghanistan
The team winning the toss will likely bat first to capitalize on the relatively better batting conditions on Day 1.
Match Prediction
Afghanistan’s superior bowling attack and the presence of match-winners like Rashid Khan and Sediqullah Atal give them a clear edge.
Predicted Winner: Afghanistan
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
FAQ – AFG vs ZIM 1st TEST
Who is the favorite to win the AFG vs ZIM 1st Test?
Afghanistan is the favorite due to their stronger bowling attack and rising talent.
What are the key players for Afghanistan?
Rashid Khan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Rahmat Shah are key players for Afghanistan.
What are the key players for Zimbabwe?
Sikandar Raza, Blessing Muzarabani, and Sean Williams are crucial for Zimbabwe.
What is the weather forecast for the match?
The weather is expected to be sunny with no rain interruptions.
What is the pitch condition at Queens Sports Club?
The pitch will offer assistance to pacers initially, with spinners coming into play later.
Can Zimbabwe win this match?
While Zimbabwe has home advantage, they need exceptional performances to overcome Afghanistan’s balanced side.
Disclaimer: Predictions are for entertainment purposes only. We don’t get involved in or promote betting or gambling. Also, We strongly discourage behaviors of participating in illegal activities related to cricket. Our experts try to be as correct as possible, but we do not guarantee 100% correctness.
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