Zimbabwe are set to host Afghanistan for the first Test of a two-match series at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, starting on December 26, 2024. This match marks a significant occasion as it will be Zimbabwe’s first home Boxing Day Test in 28 years, adding to the excitement surrounding the fixture.
Both teams come into this Test series following a successful limited-overs segment. Afghanistan recently clinched the T20I series 2-1 and followed it up with a convincing 2-0 victoryin the ODI series against Zimbabwe. This strong performance in white-ball cricket has boosted Afghanistan’s confidence as they transition to the red-ball format. Conversely, Zimbabwe will be looking to rebound after their recent defeats in the shorter formats, aiming to assert their dominance in the Test arena after struggling against Afghanistan historically.
Queens Sports Club Pitch Report
The pitch at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo is known for its balanced nature, offering a fair contest between batters and bowlers. Historically, the average first innings score at this venue has hovered around 307 runs in recent matches, indicating that while scoring can be achieved, it requires skill and patience from the batters.
In terms of conditions, the pitch tends to favour bowlers, especially in the early stages of a match when the new ball may offer some seam movement. As the game progresses, however, it becomes more conducive for batting, allowing for better run-scoring opportunities. Spinners can also find assistance later in the innings as the surface wears down.
Teams winning the toss often face a strategic decision on whether to bat or bowl first, as both approaches can be successful depending on the day’s conditions. With a mix of humidity and potential cloud cover during the upcoming Test match, players will need to adapt quickly to the pitch’s behaviour.
Test Stats and Records at Queens Sports Club
- Total matches: 25
- Matches won batting first: 4
- Matches won bowling first: 12
- Average 1st Inns scores: 307
- Average 2nd Inns scores: 395
- Average 3rd Inns scores : 213
- Average 4th Inns scores: 175
- Highest total recorded: 713/3 (165.3 Ov) by SL vs ZIM
- Lowest total recorded: 104/10 (49 Ov) by ZIM vs WI
Also READ: Zimbabwe picks 7 uncapped players in their squad for Afghanistan Tests
ZIM vs AFG: Head-to-head record in Test cricket
- Total matches: 2
- Afghanistan won: 1
- Zimbabwe won: 1
- Drawn matches: 1
- Afghanistan’s highest total against Zimbabwe: 545
- Afghanistan’s lowest total Against Zimbabwe: 131
- Zimbabwe’s highest total against Afghanistan: 365
- Zimbabwe’s lowest total against Afghanistan: 250
Squads:
Afghanistan: 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
Zimbabwe: 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.