Zimbabwe and Afghanistan will be eyeing a series win when they square off against each other in the second and final Test of the ongoing ZIM vs AFG series. The ZIM vs AFG match will be played from Thursday (January 2) at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe’s first Test against Afghanistan ended in a draw as the batsmen of both the teams thoroughly enjoyed their outing. As many as six players scored a century in the game, and two turned it into a double century.
Batting first, Zimbabwe scored 586 runs. Sean Williams top-scored for his side, scoring 154, while captain Craig Ervine scored 104 and Brian Bennett remained unbeaten on 110. Debutant Ben Curran also scored a half-century.
Zimbabwe’s lead, however, did not last long as Afghanistan also put in a stellar display. Riding on double centuries from Hashmatullah Shahid and Rahmat Shah, the visitors scored 699 runs. Wicketkeeper and batsman Afsar Zazai also scored a century.
When the match was finally declared a draw, Zimbabwe were 142/4 in the second innings. With both teams now set for the second test, here is the weather and pitch report for the upcoming ZIM vs AFG test.
ZIM vs AFG Weather Report & Pitch Report, Bulawayo – 2nd Test, Afghanistan Tour of Zimbabwe 2024-25:
ZIM vs AFG – Bulawayo Weather Report:
The weather forecast is not promising for the second Zimbabwe-Afghanistan Test. The forecast called for a thunderstorm for all five test days. There is a high probability that rain will play spoilsport on the very first day of the test. Chances of rain on the opening day of the test are greater than 50-60 percent.
The situation is unlikely to change much in the next four days of the test either. The temperature will hover around the 20s for most of the game.
ZIM vs AFG Pitch Report:
Here are the statistics of Queen Sports Club, Bulawayo:
| First test match | 20.10.1994 |
| Last test match | 26.12.2024 |
| Matches played | 26 |
| Matches won by the home team | 1 (3.85%) |
| Matches won by the touring side | 15 (57.69%) |
| Matches won by neutral side | 0 (0.00%) |
| Matches won by kicking | 4 (15.38%) |
| Matches won | 12 (46.15%) |
| Matches won Winning draw | 7 (26.92%) |
| Matches won Throws lost | 9 (34.62%) |
| Draws | 10 (38.46%) |
| Even matches | 0 (0.00%) |
| Greatest team innings | 713/3 Dec (Sri Lanka) |
| Lowest team innings | 104 (Zimbabwe) |
| The biggest chase achieved | 184/2 (India) |
| Average initial standing (running) | 40.71 |
| Average runs per wicket | 34.97 |
| Average runs per over | 2.94 |
| Average score batting first | 318 |
The first test showed that the surface will provide a lot of help to the batsmen. Although the bowlers have struggled to make much of an impact on the game, the venue is known for offering good support to the bowlers as well.
Conclusion:
After the race in the first test, expectations are high for both teams in the second test. However, rain could spoil the upcoming game. The weather forecast is not promising for all five days of the Test and both teams will be hoping to get enough time to force a result in the match.
