Big picture
The AZ of Test cricket will be on full display this week when, in Ahmedabad, India and England go into the final tussle to decide on a Championship final. World Test and in Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan host Zimbabwe for a series that has no impact on the board points at all.
In fact, it is only the fifth test in Afghanistan, and their first since November 2019, while Zimbabwe has not consumed geese in just over a year, since February 2020. In the that time, India have played nine Tests and England 11; these two teams also have another four-run series to look forward to this year’s northern hemisphere summer. The issue of unfair distribution of matches, which South Africa has raised amid their concerns with the ICC after their series was canceled against Australia (which was also pushing back lines against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe) which were also set to start this week. Afghanistan and Zimbabwe must be content with what they receive. For now, it’s everyone else.
It is a resume for both sides with an Afghan squad consisting of eight uncapped players and two teenagers in the opening batsman Ibrahim Zadran and fast player Mohammed Saleem. They have returned the captain to Afghan Asghar, who was in charge of their first two trials but then handed over to Rashid Khan, who has been unstoppable ever since. The change has come at an opportune time as Khan is skeptical for the first Test after a finger injury in the PSL.
Zimbabwe has also introduced some new names, largely caused by injuries and illness to some of the key players. Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine and Kyle Jarvis are all out for the tour for health-related reasons while Tendai Chatara, Chamu Chibhabha and PJ Moor with arm, thigh and hamstrings nits respectively. Former under-19 star Wesley Madhevere is at the forefront of newcomers including left-arm speed bowler Richard Ngarava, while there are also results for the two-meter-tall Muzarabani Speed Blessing, seam bowler Tarisai Musakanda and batting Ryan Burl.
Form instructions
(last five completed games, most recent first)
Afghanistan LWWL
Zimbabwe LDLLW
In mind
Afghanistan is still in the established stages of creating Test and their Number 3 milestones Rahmat Shah so far has led the way. Shah is their first test centurion (and so far only) and is two away from finishing 300 runs in this form. It has established itself as a trusted and accountable No. 3 and will be fundamental to their ability to post challenging sums in this series. While there has been little cricket for Afghanistan to gauge form, Shah appeared in his fifth ODI century in a series against Ireland in January.
The Emirates may not be the perfect place Blessing of Muzarabani to bring back his test but conditions to one side, this is the most expected result for the visiting team. Muzarabani played only one Test, and it was a pink ball game in South Africa that lasted almost a day and a half, so this series could be considered a his first proper introduction to the longest form of international cricket and he will want to show what he can do. Since opting out of his Kolpak contract, Muzarabani has been an unstable player in white-ball cricket and his captain Sean Williams is hoping for his height, the kick he can and the speed at which he bowls is a powerful secret weapon for Zimbabwe.
Team news
Khan’s absence carries the greatest electoral legacy in Afghanistan and they must continue Shah and Nasir Jamal’s limited bowling experience for legpin. Amir Hamza will provide left arm twisting while a debater could replace spot 8. Hasmatullah Shahidi, who missed out on Afghanistan’s last Test against West Indies, will return to the top four.
Afghanistan (able): 1 Ibrahim Zadran, 2 Javed Ahmadi, 3 Rahmat Shah, 4 Hashmatullah Shahidi, 5 Afghan Asghar (capt), 6 Nasir Jamal, 7 Afsar Zazai (wk), 8 Fazalhaq Farooqi / Mohammed Saleem, 9 Amir Hamza 10 Yamin Ahmadzai 11 Shirzad said
The absence of Ervine, Taylor and Moor has opened the door for Madhevere to earn his first test cap and Burl to return in the top five. Muzarabani will lead the distance attack, which involves Victor Nyauchi and Donald Tiripano while the footsteps of Brandon Mavuta and offspin Sikandar Raza will ensure a different attack on Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe (able): 1 Prince Masvaure, 2 Kevin Kasuza, 3 Wesley Madhevere 4 Ryan Burl, 5 Sean Williams (capt), 6 Sikandar Raza, 7 Regis Chakabva (wk) 8 Donald Tiripano 9 Brandon Mavuta 10 Blessing Muzarabani 11 Victor Nyauchi
Park and conditions
Less than 24 hours before the Test, Williams had yet to see the playing surface but on previous evidence, a surface in the UAE tends to be fine for the first few days before it sets foot as the game wears off. While Williams wanted to spread his puppies to Afghanistan, it may be hard work for the distance archers, who have to be at the fastest pace to get anything out of the way. . Winter may be the most enjoyable time to play in this part of the world, but temperatures are still ready to go up to the 30s, with clear skies and no wind expected all over . The series will be played behind closed doors.
Stats and trivia
- This is the first Test between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe but they have a strong history of a white ball against each other in which Afghanistan holds the upper hand. They have played in 25 ODI, and Afghanistan has won 15, and nine T20Is, of which Afghanistan has won eight.
- Zimbabwe’s 15-man squad has more than doubled the number of first-class captains as Afghanistan’s 19-man squad. Between them, Zimbabwe players have appeared in 747 first-tier games while Afghanistan have played in 356.
Quotes
“Our country is watching, all the way down to a local level. This is probably the first time in more than 10 years since our games have been live on ZBC. It’s a big thing for us , and he gives us a reason. “
Sean Williams on the importance of a series away being shown on free-to-air television for the first time in at least a decade in Zimbabwe
Firdose Moonda is an ESPNcricinfo journalist in South Africa