Zimbabwe and Afghanistan will renew their Test rivalry this week after a gap of more than three years. The first Test of the two-match ZIM vs AFG series is scheduled to be played on Thursday (December 26) at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
Afghanistan’s tour of Zimbabwe began with the three-match T20I series. The hosts won the first game before Afghanistan won the next two games to clinch the series.
The T20I series was followed by a three-match ODI series that was completely dominated by Afghanistan. The rain washed out the first ODI in which Afghanistan had Zimbabwe staring down the barrel after reducing them to 44/5.
In the second game, the tourists thrashed the home side by a record margin of 232 runs. After scoring 286 runs, Afghanistan bowled out Zimbabwe for just 54 runs.
In the third ODI, Afghanistan registered an 8-wicket win while chasing down a modest total of 128 runs. With both teams now preparing for the first Test, here are all the predictions for the game.
ZIM vs AFG Match Prediction- 1st Test, Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024-25:
Pitch Conditions
The first Test between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan will be played at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. The pitch is expected to offer ample assistance to both batsmen and bowlers.
While both bowlers and batsmen do have the opportunity to make an impact in Bulawayo, they will need to be at their best to reap the rewards. The past Tests at the venue have shown that the surface in Bulawayo could be very rewarding provided that the players work hard.
Form and Fitness
There are no injury concerns for either of the two teams.
Score Prediction
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
| ZIM | 250300 | 100-150 |
| AFG | 300-350 | 150-200 |
ZIM vs AFG Players to perform prediction
ZIM – Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani will be the key players for Zimbabwe.
AFG – Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmat Shah, Rashid Khan, and Fareed Malik will be the key players for Afghanistan.
ZIM vs AFG Best Batsman Prediction
Who will score the most runs for ZIM in the match: Sean Williams or Craig Ervine
Who will score the most runs for AFG in the match: Sediqullah Atal or Hashmatullah Shahidi
ZIM vs AFG Best Bowler Prediction
Who will pick the most wickets for ZIM in the match: Richard Ngarava or Blessing Muzarabani
Who will pick the most wickets for AFG in the match: Azmatullah Omarzai or Rashid Khan
Conclusion – Who will win the Match?
Even though Zimbabwe have the home conditions on their side, Afghanistan will start the game as firm favorites and are expected to win the first Test.
Zimbabwe are the more experienced side but Afghanistan showed that experience and past record do not matter much on the match day by thoroughly outplaying the home side in the limited-overs series.