আফগানিস্তান, জিম্বাবুয়ে -

Big picture: আফগানিস্তান, জিম্বাবুয়ে have eye on bigger things

Big picture: আফগানিস্তান, জিম্বাবুয়ে have eye on bigger things। In a few months' time, a series between these two teams (and আয়ারল্যান্ড) could have consequences for the World Test Championship (WTC) points table with the competition's expansion set for discussion at the ICC meetings next weekend.। জিম্বাবুয়ে, in particular, are pushing for a place in the elite club and see it as their responsibility as Full Members to champion the longest format, even if it is a financial strain. In 2025, they played ten Tests to show their commitment to the cause but they have only had one in 2026, with two more scheduled against আফগানিস্তান. For contrast, আফগানিস্তান, who don't even have a proper home ground, have only played 14 Tests in their history but have never played more in a calendar year than in 2026. This series will take them to four Tests this year.।

For now, none of that means anything as far as the bigger picture is concerned as আফগানিস্তান and জিম্বাবুয়ে (as well as আয়ারল্যান্ড) remain out of the WTC and have their eyes on other big things. The men's ODI World Cup is 11 months away and is a preoccupation for both আফগানিস্তান and জিম্বাবুয়ে. আফগানিস্তান are already showing their might, as they have reached a highest-ever sixth position on the ICC rankings and could well be eyeing a push for a semi-final spot. জিম্বাবুয়ে's ambitions, especially after missing out on the last two ODI World Cups, could be less lofty but they will want to show themselves off as co-hosts.। All that may mean the outcome of the Tests will be secondary to the players both sides are able to unearth.। জিম্বাবুয়ে have picked Belgian-born Antum Naqvi, who has lit up the domestic scene with six hundreds in 24 first-class matches and also has a solid List A record. Their squad continues to lean on experience in the form of a trio of 40-year-olds: Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine and Graeme Cremer, but there is no Sikandar Raza, who last played a Test a year ago and supports জিম্বাবুয়ে's inclusion in the WTC but sees his own career winding down. Likewise, আফগানিস্তান have none of Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran available for this series but their leading রান-scorer and অধিনায়ক Rahmat Shah does have the likes of Hashmatullah Shahidi and Yamin Ahmadzai, their second-highest উইকেট-taker, at his disposal.।

আফগানিস্তান DLLWD (last five completed matches, most recent first)। In the spotlight: Abdul Malik and Brian Bennett। আফগানিস্তান's opening ব্যাটার Abdul Malik seems to be starting to find his touch in the longest format after scoring his first Test fifty against বাংলাদেশ last month. Prior to that knock, Malik hadn't made more than 30 in a Test innings and would have known more was expected of him. With Sediqullah Atal and Rahmat in the ranks, আফগানিস্তান will hope their top order gives them a good start.।

Brian Bennett will have the responsibility of captaining জিম্বাবুয়ে in the absence of regular skipper Richard Ngarava, who has a back problem, and of improving his own form. Across all formats, Bennett has only crossed 30 once in his last ten innings. His last Test innings, against বাংলাদেশ in Harare, brought a অর্ধশতক and he has two hundreds, one of them against আফগানিস্তান, to his name, and he will want to replicate the patience he showed in those knocks as he looks to lead from the front.। Team news: Will Naqvi get a look in। আফগানিস্তান's last Test was a draw against বাংলাদেশ in Abu Dhabi and they may stick with the same XI that secured that result.।

আফগানিস্তান (possible): 1 Sediqullah Atal, 2 Abdul Malik, 3 Shahidullah, 4 Rahmat Shah (capt), 5 Hashmatullah Shahidi, 6 Ikram Alikhil (wk), 7 Ismal Alam, 8 Qais Ahmed, 9 Zia-ur-Rehman, 10 Yamin Ahmadzai, 11 Mohammad Saleem। With Naqvi in line for a debut, জিম্বাবুয়ে may consider asking Brendan Taylor to keep উইকেট to balance the XI, unless they are willing to consider leaving one of Taylor and Ervine out. They are likely to want two frontline স্পিনাররা but may struggle to find space for Wellington Masakadza and could end up choosing between legspinners Cremer and Vincent Masekesa.। জিম্বাবুয়ে (possible): 1 Innocent Kaia, 2 Ben Curran, 3 Brendan Taylor, 4 Brian Bennett, 5 Craig Ervine, 6 Antum Naqvi/Tafadzwa Tsiga, 7 Wessly Madhevere, 8 Brad Evans, 9 Graeme Cremer/Vincent Masekesa, 10 Kundai Matigimu, 11 Blessing Muzarabani।

This will be the first Test in Sharjah in a decade, with the last being between পাকিস্তান and ওয়েস্ট ইন্ডিজ in 2016. Then, ওয়েস্ট ইন্ডিজ had successfully chased a target of 154 after seamers on both sides found themselves among the উইকেট. Since then, the ground has hosted 76 men's white-ball games and has become known for the slowness of the surface, which also has low bounce and a sluggish outfield. All indications are that রান-scoring will be tough, but so will being in the field. Temperatures remain high in the Emirates, with Sharjah set to top 36 degrees on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.। The head-to-head numbers between these two sides is as close as it gets. They have played against each other five times, with each winning two, with one draw.। Ervine needs nine রান to become the seventh জিম্বাবুয়ে ব্যাটার to 2000 Test রান.।

"The more we play Test cricket and the more wins we get as a cricketing nation, that will propel us to the Test Championship. That's one of our goals. Hopefully in the not too distant future, we will be able to get into that Test Championship."জিম্বাবুয়ে's stand-in অধিনায়ক Brian Bennett hopes to see his side included in one of cricket's elite clubs।