Zimbabwe they will be eyeing a series win when they take on Afghanistan in the second and final Test of the ongoing series. The match is scheduled to take place from Thursday (January 2) at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
After losing the T20I and ODI series, the hosts came up with a strong batting display in the first Test. Going in first, the hosts amassed a total of 586 runs. Sean Williams, Craig Ervine and Brian Bennett scored centuries for the hosts.
Afghanistan, however, managed to get the better of the hosts as they bundled out their first innings for 699 runs. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah scored double centuries while Afsar Zazai scored a century.
In the second innings, Zimbabwe scored 142/4 when proceedings came to an end. With both teams now in the second Test, here is the Zimbabwe Playing 11 for the upcoming game.
Zimbabwe Playing 11 vs Afghanistan – 2nd Test, Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024-25:
Captains: Joylord Gumbie (wk), Ben Curran
Joylord Gumbie and Ben Curran are likely to be the first in the Playing 11 for the upcoming Test. Although Gumbie failed to impress in the first Test, he is expected to retain his place in the Zimbabwe Playing 11 for the second Test.
In the first innings, the hosts captain was out for just 9 runs before scoring 24 runs in the second innings. Unlike Gumbie, his opening partner Ben Curran had a decent outing in the first Test.
After a poor outing in the previous ODI series, the debutant scored a fine fifty in his first Test matches. Curran scored 68 runs in the first innings and followed it up with 41 runs in the second innings.
Middle-order batsmen and fielders: Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c), Dion Myers, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza
Takudzwanashe Kaitano is also looking to retain his place in the Playing 11 despite not being able to make the most of the batting conditions in the first Test. He scored 46 runs in the first innings before being dismissed for just 5 runs in the second innings.
Sean Williams starred with the bat for the home side. In the first innings, he scored for his team, scoring 154 runs. It was his third century in three Tests against Afghanistan. In the second innings as well, Williams impressed with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 35.
Captain Craig Ervine led from the front in the first test. The star scored 104 runs in the first innings. In the second innings, he remained unbeaten on 22 and shared a crucial stand with Williams after the hosts were reduced to 88 for 4.
Brian Bennett impressed with both bat and ball in the first Test. The all-rounder scored an unbeaten 110 in the first innings. With the ball, he picked up 5 wickets for 95 runs. He will look for another strong show in the second Test.
Dion Myers failed to impress with the bat in the first Test but is likely to retain his place in Zimbabwe’s Playing XI. He scored 27 runs in the first innings before scoring 4 in the second.
The hosts could make one change to their lineup for the upcoming Test. Veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza could replace Brandon Mavuta in Zimbabwe’s Playing 11 for the second Test.
Bowlers: Newman Nyamhuli, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu
The bowling line-up looks set to remain the same for the upcoming game. Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Gwandu are likely to be the bowlers in Zimbabwe’s line-up.
