After running in the first test, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan will face each other again this week in a test match. The second and final test of the ongoing ZIM vs AFG series will be played from Thursday (January 2) at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
The first match of ZIM-AFG ended in a high-scoring draw. As many as six batsmen scored three-digit points in the game. Batting first, Zimbabwe scored 586 runs with Sean Williams, Craig Ervine and Brian Bennett scoring centuries.
In reply, Afghanistan scored 699 runs thanks to double centuries by Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah. Wicketkeeper and batsman Afsar Zazai also scored a century.
When the match was eventually declared a draw, Zimbabwe were 142/4 in the second innings. Both the teams will now look for a better bowling display in the second ZIM vs AFG Test. Ahead of the game, here’s a preview.
ZIM vs AFG Match Preview – 2nd Test, Afghanistan Tour of Zimbabwe 2024-25:
ZIM vs. AFG 2nd test, date and place:
The second ZIM vs AFG Test will be played on Thursday (January 2). The venue of the match is Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
Determine:
Zimbabwe:
Craig Ervine (captain), 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
Afghanistan:
Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Ikram Alikhail (WK), Afsar Zazai (WK), Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Zahir Shehzad, Rashid Khan, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah Mahboob , Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Yamin Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad Afghan, Naveed Zadran, Fareed Ahmad Malik and AM Ghazanfar.
ZIM vs AFG Key battles
Sean Williams vs Rashid Khan:
Sean Williams extended his brilliant Test record against Afghanistan. The southpaw scored 154 runs in the first innings before scoring a crucial 35 not out in the second innings, which helped Zimbabwe recover from a precarious position.
The century was Williams’ third in three Tests against Afghanistan. With form as well as history on his side, Williams will be eyeing another strong performance against Afghanistan in the second Test.
Afghanistan will be well aware of the threat Williams possesses and will rely on their star man Rashid Khan to stop the Zimbabwe star. Rashid missed the first Test due to personal reasons but is expected to play the upcoming match.
Hashmatullah Shahidi vs. Blessing Muzarabani:
Hashmatullah Shahidi led his team from the front in the first Test. After Zimbabwe amassed 586 runs in the first innings, Afghanistan needed their captain to play well and he did not disappoint. The southpaw top-scored for his side, scoring 246 runs while sharing a record of 364 runs with Rahmat Shah.
It was Shahidi’s second Test double century against Zimbabwe. The Afghanistan captain will be looking to further improve his record against the African side. And Zimbabwe will rely on Blessing Muzarabani to get rid of the Afghanistan captain. Muzarabani is one of the most experienced players in the Zimbabwe squad and will look to deliver an edge to his side.
Sediqullah Atal vs Trevor Gwandu:
Although Sediqullah Atal failed to start in the first Test, he is a big threat for Zimbabwe. The Afghan opener had a good run in the ODI series, scoring 104 and 52 not out.
He will try to give his team a good start in the second test as well. And Zimbabwe will hope that they will be able to keep quiet about Afghanistan’s opener in the upcoming match as well. Trevor Gwandu dismissed Atal for just 3 runs in the first Test and will once again look to win his match against him.
ZIM vs AFG key players
WINTER – Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Brian Bennett, Ben Curran and Trevor Gwandu will be key players for Zimbabwe.
AFG – Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah, AM Ghazanfar and Rashid Khan will be key players for Afghanistan.
Conclusion:
After the runs in the first Test, both teams will be hoping for a better bowling display in the upcoming match. The Test will also give both the teams a chance to register a historic series win.
