Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe – 1st Test Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe taking place? Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 – 06:00 (UK)
Where is Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe taking place? Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
What is the expected weather for Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe? 28-29c with sunshine forecast all five days
What channel is Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe on? The match will be televised live on FreeSports in the UK (Sky channel 422)
Where can I stream Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe? The match will not be streamed live in the UK
LAST MEETING
Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 118 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
AFGHANISTAN
- Afghanistan return to Test action for the first time since November 2019 so they will be raring to go in a format in which they are pretty inexperienced but determined to show they can compete with the traditional Test-playing nations.
- They have left out some of their younger contingent with Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Qais Ahmed and Noor Ahmed left out as they continue to play in the PSL but they have named star leg-spinner Rashid Khan who they will expect to spearhead their bowling attack.
- The batting order will have a familiar look about it with Asghar Afghan leading them along with Javed Ahmadi and Rahmat Shah but otherwise they have some new faces in the squad and will be looking to blood more players in the longest format of the game.
ZIMBABWE
- Zimbabwe return to Test action seeking their first win in the longest format of the game since November 2018 and this two-match series in the UAE offers them a great chance to taste victory.
- Their preparations are not helped by long term injuries to Tendai Chatara, Chamu Chibhabha and Peter Moor, while they are also without key veterans Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine who are ill and those two represent major losses for them.
- Their absences will pile the pressure on skipper Sean Williams and the experienced all-rounder Sikandar Raza in what will otherwise be a hugely inexperienced line-up that they field in Abu Dhabi.
THE PREDICTION
Two of the weaker teams in Test cricket meet in Abu Dhabi as Afghanistan face Zimbabwe but it promises to be a hard-fought encounter in what essentially offers both teams the opportunity to claim a rare Test win. There are key absentees in both camps but it is Afghanistan who possess the greater quality and experience in their camp. Even though he is typically less dangerous in red-ball cricket, Rashid Khan is still the standout player in either squad and will pose plenty of problems to this inexperienced Zimbabwe batting line-up. Along with their solid batting core led by skipper Asghar Afghan, they have to be favoured to beat Zimbabwe and earn a rare Test victory.
