Zimbabwe is gearing up to host Afghanistan in an eagerly awaited Test series, starting this Thursday. The first Test is scheduled from December 26 to 30, with the second Test set to follow from January 2 to 6. Both matches will be played at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, according to Wisden.
This series marks a historic moment for Zimbabwe, as it will feature their first Boxing Day Test on home soil in 28 years. The last time Zimbabwe played a Boxing Day Test at home was in 1996 against England, a match that ended in a rain-affected draw in Harare. Additionally, the second Test will be Zimbabwe’s debut New Year’s Test, both domestically and internationally.
In the lead-up to the Test series, Afghanistan demonstrated their strength by clinching a 2-1 victory in the T20I series and sweeping the ODI series 2-0. This sets the stage for a fiercely competitive Test showdown between the two sides.
Both teams have named squads that blend experience with emerging talent, featuring seven uncapped players each. Zimbabwe’s squad includes Ben Curran, the brother of England cricketers Sam and Tom Curran, who has earned his maiden call-up and brings an exciting edge to the lineup.
On the Afghan side, star player Rashid Khan returns to the Test format after nearly four years, providing a significant boost to their squad as they prepare for this challenging series.
The two teams are set to deliver an electrifying contest, with both eager to leave their mark in what promises to be a historic and memorable series.
Zimbabwe squad: Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Dion Myers, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Brandon Mavuta, Johnathan Campbell, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Joylord Gumbie, Nyasha Mayavo, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava, Takudzwa Chataira, Trevor Gwandu.
Afghanistan squad: Abdul Malik, Bahir Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Ismat Alam, Afsar Zazai, Ikram Alikhil, Bashir Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad, Naveed Zadran, Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zahir Khan, Zahir Shehzad, Zia-ur-Rehman.
