Zimbabwe and Afghanistan gear up for a one-off Test at Harare Sports Club starting October 20, marking the resumption of Afghanistan’s red-ball campaign after a long break and Zimbabwe’s return to their capital venue. Both teams, familiar foes in this format, have plenty to prove with new faces, evolving squads, and contrasting strengths ready to be tested.
Zimbabwe look to end drought at home
Zimbabwe’s last Test win in Harare came back in 2013, and they’ll be desperate to end that barren run. Under Craig Ervine’s captaincy, the hosts are relying heavily on seasoned performers like Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, and Wellington Masakadza to bring solidity across departments. The inclusion of Antum Naqvi, who averages nearly 70 in first-class cricket, adds a spark of optimism to the batting lineup. Their pace attack, featuring Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava, is expected to make early use of a firm surface that offers pace and bounce before spinners come into play as the game progresses. Consistency, however, remains Zimbabwe’s biggest challenge after losing four of their last six Tests by an innings margin.
Afghanistan eye another statement win
Afghanistan enter this Test aiming to reassert themselves as the dominant emerging team in red-ball cricket. Led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, the visitors boast a balanced side despite the absence of Rashid Khan and Rahmat Shah. Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Bahir Shah form a disciplined top order capable of lengthy partnerships, while the spin duo of Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar and Sharafuddin Ashraf hold the key in the latter stages. Their last tour to Zimbabwe ended with a 1-0 series win, thanks to superior batting discipline and incisive spin, and the team will look to repeat that success.
ZIM vs AFG, One-off Test: Match Details
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- Date and Time: October 20-24, 2025: 01:30 PM IST / 08:00 AM GMT/ 10:00 AM Local
- Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
ZIM vs AFG, Head-to-Head Record in Tests:
Matches Played: 4 | Afghanistan won: 2 | Zimbabwe won: 1 | Draw: 1
Harare Sports Club Pitch Report
The Harare surface is expected to play true early on, assisting fast bowlers with movement and bounce during the opening sessions before gradually slowing down. Spinners should find increasing assistance from day three onward, making timing and application at the crease critical. Batting last could be treacherous with uneven bounce and grip for turners, placing significant emphasis on winning the toss and posting a strong first-innings total.
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Squads:
Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran, Abdul Malik, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Bahir Shah, Shahidullah Kamal, Ismat Alam, Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar, Yamin Ahmadzai, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, Khalil Gurbaz, Afsar Zazai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Ikram Alikhil, Bashir Ahmad
Zimbabwe: Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Nick Welch, Craig Ervine (c), Brendan Taylor (wk), Tafadzwa Tsiga, Sikandar Raza, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga, Richard Ngarava, Roy Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Antum Naqvi
ZIM vs AFG, One-off Test:
If Afghanistan get the chance to bat first, they will look to make full use of Harare’s flat early conditions to post a solid total above 400 runs. Their top order, featuring Ibrahim and Shahidi, is capable of spending long hours at the crease against Zimbabwe’s pace attack that tends to flatten after the first session. Once the pitch begins to dry out by Day 3, Afghanistan’s spin duo of Akbar and Ashraf can exploit the growing rough patches, forcing Zimbabwe’s middle order into errors and pushing the visitors toward a possible innings win to extend their recent dominance over the hosts.
On the other hand, if Zimbabwe win the toss and elect to bat first, Craig Ervine’s side will rely heavily on Taylor, Raza, and Naqvi to build early partnerships and target a first‑innings total close to 350. Afghanistan’s disciplined new‑ball pair of Yamin Ahmadzai and Sharifi will look to strike within the first hour and curb Zimbabwe’s scoring rate. If Afghanistan’s batters then apply themselves on the same surface, a reply close to 450‑plus could set the tone for another commanding position.
Facing a fourth‑innings chase on a wearing pitch notorious for variable bounce, Zimbabwe’s inexperienced lower order might find it tough to contain Afghanistan’s spinners. Given the visitors’ superior balance and form, Afghanistan remain clear favorites to win this one‑off Test in Harare and seal the 2025 tour with a memorable red‑ball triumph.
Also READ: Afghanistan announced Test and T20I squads for Zimbabwe tour
