Zimbabwe Afghanistan is scheduled to host For the first Test of a two-match series at Queen's Sports Club in Bulawayo, starting on 26 December 2024. This match marks a significant occasion as it will be the first Boxing Day Test on Zimbabwean soil in 28 years, adding to the excitement surrounding the match.
Both teams go into this Test series after a successful limited overs stanza. Afghanistan recently clinched the T20I series 2-1 and followed it up with A convincing 2-0 winIn the ODI series against Zimbabwe. This strong performance in white-ball cricket has boosted Afghanistan's confidence as they move to the red-ball system. Conversely, Zimbabwe will be looking to bounce back from their recent defeats in the shorter competitions, aiming to assert their dominance in the Test arena after historically struggling against Afghanistan.
Queens Athletic Club Report
The pitch at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo is known for its balanced nature, offering fair competition between batsmen and bowlers. Historically, the first innings score at this venue has averaged around 307 in recent matches, suggesting that although scoring can be achieved, it requires skill and patience from the batsmen.
In terms of conditions, the pitch tends to favor bowlers, especially in the early stages of the match when the new ball offers some seam movement. As the game progresses, it becomes more convenient to hit, allowing for better goal-scoring opportunities. Spinners can also find help later in the innings as the surface wears down.
Teams winning the toss are often faced with a strategic decision as to whether to bat or bowl first, as both approaches can be successful depending on the conditions of the day. With a mix of humidity and cloud cover likely during the upcoming Test match, players will need to quickly adapt to the behavior of the pitch.
Quiz statistics and records at Queens Athletic Club
- Total matches: 25
- Matches won by batting first: 4
- Matches in which bowlers won first: 12
- Average results of the first hotels: 307
- Average grades of the second hostel: 395
- Average scores of the three hotels: 213
- Average results for Fourth Inns: 175
- Highest total recorded: 713/3 (165.3 Oct) by SL vs ZIM
- Lowest total recorded: 104/10 (Oct 49) by ZIM vs WI
Read also: Zimbabwe selects 7 uncapped players in their squad for the Afghanistan Tests
ZIM vs AFG: Head-to-head record in Test cricket
- Total matches: 2
- Afghanistan won: 1
- Zimbabwe won: 1
- Drawn matches: 1
- Highest total for Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe: 545
- Lowest total for Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe: 131
- Highest total for Zimbabwe against Afghanistan: 365
- Zimbabwe's lowest score against Afghanistan: 250
the difference:
Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Ikram Ali Khail (Week), Afsar Zazai (Week), Riaz Hassan, Siddiqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Bahir Shah Mehboob, Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Khan , Zia Rahman. Akbar, Zahir Shehzad, Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad Afghan, Naveed Zadran, and Fareed Ahmad. What is with you
Zimbabwe: Craig Irvine (c), Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Jonathan Campbell, Takodzwa Shatera, Joylord Gumbi, Trevor Gwandu, Takodzuwanashi Caetano, Tadiwanashi Marumane, Brandon Mafuta, Nyasha Maiavu, Blessing Muzarabane, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Nyoman Nyamhuri, Sikander Raza . , Sean Williams.