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The Test action begins as Afghanistan take on Zimbabwe in the first Test at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, on 5th November at 10:30 AM IST.
Get the best AFG vs ZIM Dream11 prediction, fantasy cricket tips, probable playing XI, and match insights for the 1st Test match of the Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Tour of UAE 2026. Expert analysis and more.
Hot Picks for AFG vs ZIM Dream11 Prediction and Fantasy Cricket Tips:
Captaincy Picks:
Rahmat Shah – Afghanistan’s dependable middle-order batter has scored 1,199 runs in 13 Tests at 49.96, including four centuries, seven half-centuries and a highest score of 234. |
Sediqullah Atal – Afghanistan’s left-handed batter has accumulated 190 runs in three Tests at 38.00, including a maiden century of 111 against Bangladesh. |
Top Picks:
Brad Evans – Zimbabwe’s right-arm fast-medium all-rounder has claimed 10 wickets in three Tests at 25.00, with best figures of 5/22 and an economy rate of 3.45. |
Brian Bennett – Zimbabwe’s talented all-rounder has scored 568 runs in 12 Tests at 31.56, including two centuries and three half-centuries, alongside six wickets. |
Budget Picks:
Qais Ahmad – Afghanistan’s attacking leg-spinner has collected five wickets in three Tests at 52.80, with best figures of 2/98, bringing variation through his leg-break bowling. |
Wesley Madhevere – Zimbabwe’s batting all-rounder has scored 244 runs in eight Tests at 17.42, including a highest score of 84, and claimed seven wickets at 40.71. |
AFG vs ZIM Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Tour of UAE 2026 Captain and Vice-captain Choices:
Captain | Rahmat Shah & Sediqullah Atal |
Vice-Captain | Brian Bennett & Brad Evans |
AFG vs ZIM Dream11 Prediction Team 1:
- Keeper – Brendan Taylor
- Batters – Craig Ervine, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Sediqullah Atal, Brian Bennett
- All-Rounders – Rahmat Shah ©, Shahidullah Kamal, Brad Evans (VC)
- Bowlers – Yamin Ahmadzai, Blessing Muzarabani, K Gurbaz
AFG vs ZIM Dream11 Prediction Team 2:
- Keeper – Brendan Taylor
- Batters – Craig Ervine, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Sediqullah Atal ©, Brian Bennett (VC)
- All-Rounders – Rahmat Shah, Shahidullah Kamal, Brad Evans
- Bowlers – Wessly Madhevere, Qais Ahmad, K Gurbaz
AFG vs ZIM Dream11 Prediction Today Match 1st Test Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Tour of UAE 2026 Players to Avoid:
Players | Dream11 Credits | Dream11 Points (Last match) |
Ernest Masuku | NA | NA |
Abdul-Malik | NA | NA |
AFG vs ZIM Dream11 Prediction Today Match 1st Test Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Tour of UAE 2026 Expert Advice:
SL Captaincy Choice | Rahmat Shah |
GL Captaincy Choice | Sediqullah Atal |
Punt Picks | Qais Ahmad & Wesley Madhevere |
Dream11 Combination | 1-4-3-3 |
AFG vs ZIM Match Preview:
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe are preparing to face each other in the first Test at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah on 5 November 2026 at 10:30 AM IST. Afghanistan will aim to capitalise on familiar conditions, while Zimbabwe will look to challenge the hosts with a combination of experienced players and promising young talent. Moreover, both sides possess capable batting line-ups and varied spin attacks, setting the stage for an intriguing contest.
Afghanistan can draw confidence from their recent red-ball performance against Bangladesh, where they fought hard to secure a draw. Sediqullah Atal led the resistance with an impressive 111 in the second innings, while Rahmat Shah scored 51 and Qais Ahmad remained unbeaten on 49. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, arrive on the back of a commanding Test victory over Bangladesh, winning by an innings and 85 runs. Afghanistan also enjoyed a successful recent T20I series against Zimbabwe, completing a 3-0 sweep. In the final match, they chased down the target with seven wickets to spare after dismissing Zimbabwe for just 79, with Noor Ahmad delivering a remarkable spell of 5/13. However, the longer format presents an entirely different challenge, and both teams will need to adjust their strategies accordingly.
The Sharjah surface is expected to remain dry and slow, potentially bringing spinners into the contest as the match progresses. Afghanistan could benefit from the skills of Qais Ahmad and Zia-ur-Rehman, whereas Zimbabwe will look towards the returning Graeme Cremer and the pace of Blessing Muzarabani. With the bat, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi will play important roles for Afghanistan. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will rely on experienced campaigners Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine, alongside emerging talents Ben Curran and Brian Bennett. Although Afghanistan’s familiarity with UAE conditions and recent T20I success could work in their favour, Zimbabwe’s convincing Test victory provides a strong foundation. Overall, Zimbabwe may hold a slight advantage based on their recent red-ball form, but Afghanistan have the resources to make this opening Test highly competitive.
AFG vs ZIM Head-to-Head Record:
Teams | Matches Won |
Afghanistan | 2 |
Zimbabwe | 2 |
AFG vs ZIM Weather & Pitch Report:
Temperature | 27°C |
Weather Forecast | Clear Sky |
Pitch Behaviour | Batting-friendly |
Best Suited To | Pace |
Average 1st innings score | 352 |
RechaveAFG vs ZIord of chasing teams:
Records | Poor |
Winning % | 44% |
AFG vs ZIM Playing 11s (Predicted):
Afghanistan Playing 11:
1) Sediqullah Atal
2) Abdul Malik
3) Shahidullah Kamal
4) Rahmat Shah ©
5) Hashmatullah Shahidi
6) Ikram Alikhil (wk)
7) Ismat Alam
8) Qais Ahmad
9) Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar
10) Yamin Ahmadzai
11) Mohammad Saleem Safi
Zimbabwe Playing 11:
1) Innocent Kaia
2) Ben Curran
3) Brendan Taylor
4) Brian Bennett ©
5) Craig Ervine
6) Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk)
7) Wessly Madhevere
8) Brad Evans
9) Graeme Cremer
10) Newman Nyamhuri
11) Blessing Muzarabani
AFG vs ZIM Match Winner Prediction:
The overall composition of the Afghanistan side suggests that they could emerge victorious in this encounter.
