Zimbabwe Playing XI vs Afghanistan- Only Test, Afghanistan Tour of Zimbabwe 2025
Published - 20 Oct 2025, 10:00 AM
Table of Contents
Zimbabwe will go head-to-head against Afghanistan in the only Test of Afghanistan's tour of Zimbabwe 2025. This article provides details about Zimbabwe's Playing 11 vs Afghanistan for the match in question.
Zimbabwe Playing XI vs Afghanistan- Only Test, Afghanistan Tour of Zimbabwe 2025:
Openers: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran
Zimbabwe, a team that has played a decent number of Test matches this year, will add another to that list when they take on Afghanistan in the only Test at Harare, which will be followed by a T20I series.
The Craig Ervine-led side would want to grab the opportunity with both hands and apply the learnings that they would have picked up in the Test matches against South Africa and New Zealand.
The home team has retained its core, with Brian Bennett and Ben Curran expected to open the innings.
This duo would like to get the team off to a good start and get a big score individually as well.
In addition to them getting runs and laying a platform for the incoming batters, both Bennett and Curran would hope for the middle order to capitalize on it to help the team get to an above-par total.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Craig Ervine (c), Brendan Taylor (wk), Sikandar Raza, Nick Welch, Tanunurwa Makoni, Brad Evans,
The opening pair will be followed by a middle order, which has a good blend of youth and experience, with the presence of batters all of whom can take the game away from Afghanistan.
The likes of Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, and Sikandar Raza would look to provide solidity to the middle order while batting at numbers three, four, and five, respectively.
This trio would want good support from other batters as well to increase their chances of scoring 340-350, which will keep them ahead in the game, and will give the bowlers a fair opportunity to bowl with freedom.
As is the case in the oldest format of the game, i.e., Test cricket majority of the runs will have to be scored by the top five batters.
Bowlers: Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava
As far as the bowling attack, it looks strong with the presence of the experienced fast bowling pair of Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava.
Muzarabani and Ngarava would be entrusted to pick early wickets with the new ball by making full use of the conditions and creating pressure on the Afghan batters.
Blessing Muzarabani and Ngarava will be supported by fast bowling all-rounder Brad Evans, who also finds a place in the squad, which will lengthen the batting as well as provide variety in bowling.
The spin bowling arsenal of Zimbabwe comprises Wellington Masakadza, who will be assisted by experienced campaigner Sikandar Raza, who will fulfill the role of spin bowling all-rounder.
The home team would bank on their bowlers to put on a good show with the ball and restrict Afghanistan to a low total, which would make the job of the batters a bit easier.
Tagged:
Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Afghanistan National Cricket Team Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Craig Ervine Hashmatullah Shahidi
