ZIM vs AFG 2024: Top 3 Players to watch out for in upcoming Test series

ZIM vs AFG 2024: Top 3 Players to watch out for in upcoming Test series – Sikander Raza.
(Photo by Tharaka Basnayaka/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Afghanistan have dominated proceedings against Zimbabwe so far on the tour as they won the T20I and ODI series earlier this month. Now, the Blue Tigers will look to finish their tour on a high by beating Zimbabwe in a two-match Test series at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. The first Test begins on Boxing Day (December 26) followed by the second encounter, beginning from January 02.

The multi-format tour began with the three-match T20I series in Harare. Zimbabwe won the first match. However, Afghanistan won the next two games to seal the series. Meanwhile, after the first ODI ended without a result, the tourists made light work of their opponents in the next two games.

Zimbabwe will look to bounce back strongly and give their fans something to cheer for. However, their biggest challenge will be tackling the potent Afghan bowling attack.

3. Sikandar Raza

Sikander Raza. (Photo by Tharaka Basnayaka/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Sikandar Raza will have a key role to play with both bat and ball. He hasn’t been in great form in recent times, but a cricketer of his calibre shouldn’t be written off. He is a good player of spin and Zimbabwe fans will want him to bat for long periods, as his naturally aggressive batting style will ensure the scoreboard keeps on ticking.

The 38-year-old has the experience of playing 17 Tests, in which he has scored 1,187 runs at an average of 35.97. Raza has registered eight half-centuries and a solitary ton. With the ball, the off-spinner has accounted for 34 wickets at an average of 42.38. However, he played his last Test match almost four years ago.

2. Rahmat Shah

Rahmat Shah. (Photo Source – Twitter/X)

Rahmat Shah is one of the most technically sound batters in the Afghanistan batting line-up, and he will be key to their chances in the red-ball fixtures. The 31-year-old looks comfortable on the front as well as the back foot. He plays the ball late and that can be beneficial for him against the tall pacers like Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava.

Rahmat has played nine Test matches so far in his career. He has aggregated 578 runs at an average of 32.11. The Paktia-born has notched up five half-centuries and one century so far in his Test career. He didn’t have a great outing in Afghanistan’s one-off Test against Ireland earlier this year, as he registered scores of 0 and 9. The right-handed batter will want to come back strongly in Bulawayo.

1. Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan (Source: by Md Manik/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Like Raza, Rashid Khan will also be playing his first Test match since 2021. The talismanic all-rounder had taken a temporary break from the format in recent times after suffering from a protracted groin injury. Rashid finished with nine wickets from the three T20Is. Meanwhile, she bagged three scalps in eight overs across the three ODIs.

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The 26-year-old has played five Tests so far. He has one half-century to his name. Meanwhile, with the ball, the seasoned campaigner has picked up 34 wickets at an average of 22.35. Rashid’s best figures in the longest format of the game is 7/137 in an innings and 11/104 in a match. The Nangarhar-born has a strike rate of 45.12.