Zimbabwe, Afghanistan look to start afresh in Tests

A new-look Zimbabwe will hope for a turnaround of fortune in the Test series after a miserable outing in the tri-series and T20Is against a dominant Afghanistan.

Zimbabwe will face off Afghanistan in the first of the two-match series getting underway on Nov.5 at the iconic Sharjah Cricket stadium. There was an injury blow for the Africans as regular captain Richard Ngarava has been ruled out of Zimbabwe’s two-match Test series due to a back injury. Young Brian Bennett will lead the team in his absence.

Among the other major absentees is fast bowler Tanaka Chivanga, who is also sidelined with an injury. Veteran leg-spinner Graeme Cremer returns to the Test squad for the first time since December 2017, alongside senior batters Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine.

The return of the veteran players is likely to provide depth both in bowling and batting to a struggling Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe’s record in the Test matches against Afghanistan is considerably good as compared to that of shorter formats.

Both the teams have played five Tests against each other. They have won two each while one ended in a draw. Going by the past record Zimbabwe will hope for a turnaround in fortune in the longest format while Afghanistan will look to extend their dominance in the red-ball cricket as well.

Zimbabwe stand-in captain Bennett ruled out that the loss in the recently concluded series will have any bearing on the result of the Test matches.

“This is altogether a different format. We have already shifted our focus to Test matches. As professional cricketers, we are supposed to adapt to the new formats and get acclimatized to the new conditions. We cannot carry the old baggage and look forward to a new start. We have moved on and are looking for a fresh beginning,” said Bennett.

Throwing light on the major changes in the squad he said: “We are fielding almost a different squad in the Test series. A number of veteran players, who are specialists in the format, have been included in the fold.

“The return of Taylor and Ervine will boost batting while Cremer will provide us more options in bowling alongside Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri and Matigimu,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan captain Rehmat Shah said they will look to take the winning momentum into the Test series.

“We are confident of winning in the Test series as well after our performance in the T20 series. We will try to carry the winning momentum into the Test matches as well. The atmosphere in the camp is positive,” said Shah.

Star spinner Rashid Khan has been ruled out of the Test series due to an injury not to manage workload. Rashid plays in all the major cricket leagues around the world. Shah defended Rashid’s exclusion from Test matches despite him playing in the franchise cricket round the year.

“Rashid has been ruled out of the Tests not to manage the workload alone but injury as well. As far as playing in franchise cricket is considered, there is a lot of difference between both the formats.

“T20 matches hardly last for three hours and a bowler has to bowl a maximum of four overs. That is just 24 balls. Whereas in Test matches, there is no limit how many overs a bowler may have to bowl.

“The wear and tear in the body is a lot more in red ball cricket. And over a period of time it takes its toll on the players.

“So, If we can use a bowler like Rashid for many more years by managing his workload, of course that will be a wise decision,” he stressed.

Rahsid Khan became the fastest bowler to complete 200 wickets in the T20Is against Zimbabwe during the second match.