Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 1st Take a look at prediction, lineups and Sharjah pitch report — who will win?

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Afghanistan and Zimbabwe meet in Sharjah on Thursday (11.30am IST) for the primary of two Assessments, on a floor that has not staged the format in a decade. The final one, in 2016, noticed West Indies chase 154 in opposition to Pakistan, and since then the venue has hosted 76 males’s white-ball video games.

Each side are outdoors the World Take a look at Championship for now, with ICC conferences subsequent weekend set to debate increasing it. Zimbabwe performed ten Assessments in 2025 however just one in 2026, whereas Afghanistan, who don’t have any correct residence floor, are enjoying their fourth Take a look at of the yr, their busiest calendar yr but.

Zimbabwe are seemingly to offer a debut to Antum Naqvi, the Belgian-born batter with six a whole lot in 24 first-class matches. Brian Bennett captains as a result of Richard Ngarava has a again downside, and Sikandar Raza is lacking. Afghanistan are with out Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, so Rahmat Shah leads a aspect coming off a draw with Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi.

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe prediction: who will win?

Afghanistan look the likelier winners, although not by a distance. The pitch is the primary character right here. Sharjah has turn into identified for gradual, low-bouncing surfaces and a sluggish outfield, with temperatures forecast above 36 levels, so runs will likely be arduous to search out and the spinners will carry the load. That fits Afghanistan, who’re anticipated to subject Qais Ahmed and Zia-ur-Rehman, and it helps Zimbabwe provided that Graeme Cremer or Vincent Masekesa performs.

Zimbabwe have causes for hope. The shape information reveals them successful their final two accomplished Assessments, and so they have the expertise of Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine and Cremer, all 40. Ervine wants 9 runs to achieve 2000 Take a look at runs. However their batting leans closely on veterans and a debutant, and their assault is skinny with out Ngarava.

Afghanistan miss three huge names, but Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi give the highest order a steadier really feel, and Abdul Malik arrives along with his first Take a look at fifty behind him. A good, low-scoring match is probably going, and Afghanistan can edge it.

The Cricket Information Prediction: Afghanistan to win

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe predicted lineups, crew information for 1st Take a look at

Afghanistan predicted lineup

Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Shahidullah, Rahmat Shah (c), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ismal Alam, Qais Ahmed, Zia-ur-Rehman, Yamin Ahmadzai, Mohammad Saleem

Zimbabwe predicted lineup

Harmless Kaia, Ben Curran, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett (c), Craig Ervine, Antum Naqvi, Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer, Kundai Matigimu, Blessing Muzarabani

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Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe pitch report, 1st Take a look at, Sharjah

Sharjah is anticipated to be gradual with low bounce and a sluggish outfield, so scoring will likely be powerful and so will fielding within the warmth.