Big Picture – Zimbabwe to Host Home Boxing Day Test Match for first time in 28 years!
Truly, some nail-biting thrillers at Melbourne and Centurion are promised by the final week of the year. But amidst all these, we can’t forget that Zimbabwe’s Bulawayo is set to host its first test series in 28 years, with Afghanistan on the other side. It should be noted that both teams have been winless in a test match for the past 3 years. With such a record, it would be interesting to watch the ZIM vs AFG Boxing Day Test on Thursday, 26 December 2024.
By looking at the squad for this two-test series, we can suggest that both teams are looking to break the record by taking a different direction in 2025 and beyond. Talking about the test debutants – as many as 15 test debutants are expected across the two playing XIs, meaning that the new generation has the opportunity to prove themselves.
However, the main role in the win will still be played by senior or experienced members of the squad. Rashid Khan being unavailable for the opening test due to personal reasons gets all the dependency on Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Blessing Muzarabani, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Rahmat Shah. Further, to accommodate Rashid Khan’s absence, teen spinner AM Ghazanfar was added to the squad late on Tuesday.
Don’t get excited as all the limelight may be taken by the rain once again, as we had already witnessed Afghanistan’s latest encounter in Greater Noida, being washed out due to rain, this match may also result in the same because there is a prediction of heavy rain in Bulawayo.
Form Guide
(last five completed matches, most recent first)
- Zimbabwe LLDLL
- Afghanistan ALLLW
All eyes are on Ben Curran and Ghazanfar
Search for the person filling the position of top-order has been made by Zimbabwe, and potential debutant Ben Curran could prove to be a top choice. The middle sibling of England internationals Tom and Sam and the son of former Zimbabwe international Kevin Curran – the left-hand batsman Curran has been rewarded for being the leading run-scorer of the Logan Cup this season, with an average of 74.14 in seven innings, including two centuries and two fifties. However, with scores like 12, 0, and 15 in the three ODIs against Afghanistan, Curran had a difficult start to his international career.
Talking about Ghazanfar – having not played any first-class cricket, Ghazanfar’s T20 average of 11.62 and ODI average of 13.57 makes him an exciting late addition to the squad. Having figures of 3 for 9 and 5 for 33 in his last two ODIs, he always spun a web around Zimbabwe. Well, it would be interesting to watch if an 18-year-old spinner can run through the opponents like a deadly weapon.
Zimbabwe and Afghanistan Squads
Zimbabwe: Joylord Gumbie (wk), Ben Curran, Dion Myers, Craig Ervine (capt), Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Brian Bennett, Richard Ngarava, Johnathan Campbell / Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri
Afghanistan: Ikram Alikhil (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Zahir Khan, Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Azmatullah Omarzai, Bahir Shah / Riaz Hassan, Zia-ur-Rehman, Fareed Ahmed, Naveed Zadran, AM Ghazanfar
Pitch and Condition
Usually, dry pitch conditions are offered by Bulawayo, where fast bowlers get a little bit of help before spinners start to dominate the game. But, anticipating the cloudy conditions, fast bowlers may play a big role across all five days. Let us inform the viewers – the Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe has issued a rain alert across all five days, especially during the second and third sessions.
Also Read: ICC Rankings Update: Bumrah Extends His Reign as No.1 Test Bowler
Stats and Trivia
- Zimbabwe has been defeated in six of their past seven Tests, with one match ending in a draw.
- The Queen’s Sports Club Bulawayo is a disappointing Test location for Zimbabwe. They haven’t claimed a Test victory here since April 2001. Following that victory, they have participated in 17 additional Tests, with 13 losses and four draws.
- If Ghazanfar makes his debut, he will become the eighth teenager to debut in Tests for Afghanistan.
- This will be Zimbabwe’s fourth Test match on Boxing Day, while it will be Afghanistan’s first.
Given the pitch condition, the first two days will be in the favor of fast bowlers, while spinners will get help afterward. Therefore, the team with spinners and a good batting line-up is most likely to win the first test match. Hence, Afghanistan has the upper hand in this case.
