Afghanistan, Zimbabwe face-off with WTC spot on the horizon

Yamin Ahmadzai is Afghanistan's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket © Afghanistan Cricket Board

Big picture: Afghanistan, Zimbabwe have eye on bigger things

In a few months' time, a series between these two teams (and Ireland) could have consequences for the World Test Championship (WTC) points table with the competition's expansion set for discussion at the ICC meetings next weekend.

Zimbabwe, in particular, are pushing for a place in the elite club and see it as their responsibility as Full Members to champion the longest format, even if it is a financial strain. In 2025, they played ten Tests to show their commitment to the cause but they have only had one in 2026, with two more scheduled against Afghanistan. For contrast, Afghanistan, who don't even have a proper home ground, have only played 14 Tests in their history but have never played more in a calendar year than in 2026. This series will take them to four Tests this year.

For now, none of that means anything as far as the bigger picture is concerned as Afghanistan and Zimbabwe (as well as Ireland) remain out of the WTC and have their eyes on other big things. The men's ODI World Cup is 11 months away and is a preoccupation for both Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. Afghanistan are already showing their might, as they have reached a highest-ever sixth position on the ICC rankings and could well be eyeing a push for a semi-final spot. Zimbabwe's ambitions, especially after missing out on the last two ODI World Cups, could be less lofty but they will want to show themselves off as co-hosts.

Graeme Cremer is among a group of Zimbabwe cricketers who are close to the end of their careers © AFP

All that may mean the outcome of the Tests will be secondary to the players both sides are able to unearth.

Zimbabwe have picked Belgian-born Antum Naqvi, who has lit up the domestic scene with six hundreds in 24 first-class matches and also has a solid List A record. Their squad continues to lean on experience in the form of a trio of 40-year-olds: Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine and Graeme Cremer, but there is no Sikandar Raza, who last played a Test a year ago and supports Zimbabwe's inclusion in the WTC but sees his own career winding down. Likewise, Afghanistan have none of Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran available for this series but their leading run-scorer and captain Rahmat Shah does have the likes of Hashmatullah Shahidi and Yamin Ahmadzai, their second-highest wicket-taker, at his disposal.

Form guide

Afghanistan DLLWD (last five completed matches, most recent first)

Abdul Malik might finally be finding his feet in Test cricket © Associated Press

In the spotlight: Abdul Malik and Brian Bennett

Afghanistan's opening batter Abdul Malik seems to be starting to find his touch in the longest format after scoring his first Test fifty against Bangladesh last month. Prior to that knock, Malik hadn't made more than 30 in a Test innings and would have known more was expected of him. With Sediqullah Atal and Rahmat in the ranks, Afghanistan will hope their top order gives them a good start.

Brian Bennett will have the responsibility of captaining Zimbabwe in the absence of regular skipper Richard Ngarava, who has a back problem, and of improving his own form. Across all formats, Bennett has only crossed 30 once in his last ten innings. His last Test innings, against Bangladesh in Harare, brought a half-century and he has two hundreds, one of them against Afghanistan, to his name, and he will want to replicate the patience he showed in those knocks as he looks to lead from the front.

Team news: Will Naqvi get a look in?

Afghanistan's last Test was a draw against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi and they may stick with the same XI that secured that result.

Afghanistan (possible): 1 Sediqullah Atal, 2 Abdul Malik, 3 Shahidullah, 4 Rahmat Shah (capt), 5 Hashmatullah Shahidi, 6 Ikram Alikhil (wk), 7 Ismal Alam, 8 Qais Ahmed, 9 Zia-ur-Rehman, 10 Yamin Ahmadzai, 11 Mohammad Saleem

Antum Naqvi is in line for a Test debut © Zimbabwe Cricket

With Naqvi in line for a debut, Zimbabwe may consider asking Brendan Taylor to keep wicket to balance the XI, unless they are willing to consider leaving one of Taylor and Ervine out. They are likely to want two frontline spinners but may struggle to find space for Wellington Masakadza and could end up choosing between legspinners Cremer and Vincent Masekesa.

Zimbabwe (possible): 1 Innocent Kaia, 2 Ben Curran, 3 Brendan Taylor, 4 Brian Bennett, 5 Craig Ervine, 6 Antum Naqvi/Tafadzwa Tsiga, 7 Wessly Madhevere, 8 Brad Evans, 9 Graeme Cremer/Vincent Masekesa, 10 Kundai Matigimu, 11 Blessing Muzarabani

Pitch and conditions

This will be the first Test in Sharjah in a decade, with the last being between Pakistan and West Indies in 2016. Then, West Indies had successfully chased a target of 154 after seamers on both sides found themselves among the wickets. Since then, the ground has hosted 76 men's white-ball games and has become known for the slowness of the surface, which also has low bounce and a sluggish outfield. All indications are that run-scoring will be tough, but so will being in the field. Temperatures remain high in the Emirates, with Sharjah set to top 36 degrees on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Stats and trivia

Quotes

"The more we play Test cricket and the more wins we get as a cricketing nation, that will propel us to the Test Championship. That's one of our goals. Hopefully in the not too distant future, we will be able to get into that Test Championship."

Zimbabwe's stand-in captain Brian Bennett hopes to see his side included in one of cricket's elite clubs

Firdose Moonda is Cricinfo's senior correspondent for Africa and women's cricket