AFG vs ZIM Playing 11 Today, Live Streaming, Pitch & Weather: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 1st Test 2026

AFG vs ZIM Playing 11 Today, Live Streaming, Pitch & Weather: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 1st Test 2026

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, 1st Test: Preview, Prediction, Pitch Report, Weather and Playing XI

Afghanistan and Zimbabwe begin their two-match Test series at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday, November 5, with both sides looking to make an early statement in the longer format. Afghanistan arrive with confidence after sweeping the T20I series 3-0 in the UAE, but the change from white-ball cricket to Test cricket brings a very different challenge. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will be eager to respond after the T20I defeat and build on their commanding Test win over Bangladesh earlier this year.

The teams have been evenly matched in their five previous Test meetings, winning two games apiece, with the other ending in a draw. That record sets up an intriguing opener, particularly as Sharjah’s surface is expected to change over the course of the match. Early batting conditions could reward patience, while a dry, wearing pitch may later give the spinners a greater role.

AFG vs ZIM 1st Test: Match Preview and Recent Form

Afghanistan’s most recent Test, against Bangladesh in October, finished in a draw. Bangladesh made 346 in their first innings and declared at 372/7 in the second. Afghanistan responded with 240 before reaching 346/8 in their second innings, showing resilience while chasing the match’s changing demands.

Rahmat Shah is a key figure in Afghanistan’s batting plans. He has scored 901 runs across his last nine matches at an average of 56.31, making him a strong candidate to anchor the innings. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi has also been a dependable contributor, with 694 runs in his last 10 outings. If the pair can negotiate Zimbabwe’s new-ball attack, Afghanistan could establish the kind of first-innings platform that matters in Sharjah.

Afghanistan’s bowling resources offer further encouragement. Zia-ur-Rehman has taken 13 wickets in his last five matches, while Mohammad Saleem has claimed 12 wickets in his last three. Ziaur Rahman has also collected eight wickets across two Tests. Their ability to maintain pressure will be important, especially if the pitch begins to grip and turn.

Zimbabwe enter the series after an emphatic innings-and-85-run victory over Bangladesh in Harare in June. Zimbabwe made 410 in their only innings, then dismissed Bangladesh for 140 and 185. The result underlined the team’s capacity to dominate a Test through disciplined batting and sustained bowling.

Ben Curran has scored 537 runs in nine Tests, while Brendan Taylor’s experience adds depth to the middle order: he has made 2,420 runs in 37 Tests. Brian Bennett will also be important at the top of the order. With the ball, Blessing Muzarabani leads Zimbabwe’s pace attack after taking 73 wickets in 19 Tests. Brad Evans and Vincent Masekesa have each taken 10 wickets in recent Test appearances, giving the visitors several options to support him.

Sharjah Cricket Stadium Pitch Report

The Sharjah pitch is expected to offer relatively reliable batting conditions during the first two days, with consistent pace and bounce helping batters settle at the crease. That makes the opening sessions an important opportunity for both teams to build a substantial total rather than chase quick runs.

As the match progresses, the surface is likely to become slower and drier. Increasing turn and the possibility of uneven bounce could make batting more demanding in the final innings, bringing the spinners into the contest. The average first- and second-innings score at the venue is 352, while the average falls to 212 in the third innings and 176 in the fourth.

Teams batting first have won four of the nine Tests played at Sharjah, and teams bowling first have also won four. Given the expectation that conditions may deteriorate, the captain who wins the toss could prefer to bat first and make the most of the better early batting conditions. However, the balanced venue record suggests the toss alone is unlikely to decide the match.

Sharjah Test Records at a Glance

Matches: 9 | Wins batting first: 4 | Wins bowling first: 4

Highest total: 690/10, New Zealand vs Pakistan | Lowest total: 53/10, Pakistan vs Australia

Highest successful chase: 302/5, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Lowest total defended: 156, England vs Pakistan

Highest individual innings: 202, Brendon McCullum | Best innings bowling: 7/94, Mark Craig

AFG vs ZIM Weather Forecast

Hot, mostly sunny weather is forecast throughout the five-day Test, with no significant rain expected. Daytime temperatures are predicted to reach 34°C on the opening day and rise to around 36°C on November 6 and 7. The maximum is expected to stay near 35–36°C over the weekend before settling around 35°C on the final day.

The forecast indicates only a 0–1% chance of precipitation across the match. With interruptions unlikely, teams should be able to plan for a full contest, although the heat may make workload management and hydration important factors for players, particularly the fast bowlers.

Team News and Predicted Playing XIs

Neither side has reported major injury concerns ahead of the opening Test, and both are expected to have their key players available. The predicted line-ups point to Afghanistan relying on a combination of specialist batters and spin options, while Zimbabwe appear set to balance their experienced batting group with a strong pace attack.

Afghanistan predicted XI

Abdul Malik, Afsar Zazai (wk), Rahmat Shah (c), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Sediqullah Atal, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ismat Alam, Mohammad Saleem, Qais Ahmad, Zia-ur-Rehman, Yamin Ahmadzai.

Zimbabwe predicted XI

Brian Bennett (c), Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Brad Evans, Blessing Muzarabani, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza.

Key Player Battles to Watch

Rahmat Shah vs Blessing Muzarabani: Rahmat’s consistency makes him central to Afghanistan’s hopes, but Muzarabani’s height and pace could create awkward bounce early in the innings. Zimbabwe will want to test the batter before he settles.

Brian Bennett vs Zia-ur-Rehman: Bennett’s work at the top could shape Zimbabwe’s first innings. Zia-ur-Rehman may look to exploit the surface as it dries, using turn and changes in pace to challenge the opener’s defence.

Brendan Taylor vs Qais Ahmad: Taylor’s experience will be valuable if Zimbabwe need to rebuild or accelerate in the middle order. Qais Ahmad could become increasingly influential as the pitch wears, using flight and variation to draw the veteran batter into a mistake.

AFG vs ZIM Prediction

This opening Test looks closely balanced. Afghanistan have momentum from their T20I sweep and several in-form batters, while Zimbabwe’s recent innings victory over Bangladesh demonstrates their ability to compete strongly in red-ball cricket. The decisive factors may be how well each side handles the first innings and whether its bowlers can take advantage as the pitch slows.

Afghanistan may benefit from familiarity with conditions in the UAE, but Zimbabwe’s pace attack—led by Muzarabani—could make the early sessions difficult. A strong first-innings total is likely to be crucial for either team. The prediction is for a competitive Test in which the result could depend on the spinners’ impact in the second half of the match.

Where to Watch Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Live

In India, the first Test will be available to stream on the FanCode app and website; no television broadcast is listed. In Afghanistan, viewers can follow the match on Ariana TV or stream it through the Etisalat app. In Zimbabwe, the match will be televised on SuperSport TV, with streaming available through the DStv Stream app and the SuperSport website.

Latest News