Story by Raynald Ngwarati
ALL eyes will be on Harare Sports Club this Monday as the Zimbabwe national men’s cricket team, the Chevrons, gear up to face Afghanistan in an eagerly awaited one-off Test match.
The Chevrons are hoping to bounce back from a difficult year that saw them struggle against heavyweight sides New Zealand and South Africa.
With home advantage and a balanced squad, the hosts will be eager to show signs of recovery and consistency.
“A lot has been said about our Test cricket this year. We have played some really tough opposition like New Zealand and South Africa. It has been a learning year for us, and I think this will be a test for us to apply what we have been learning over the past year or so,” Zimbabwe Test Captain Craig Ervine said
For Afghanistan, the absence of star players Rashid Khan and Rahmat Shah presents both a challenge and an opportunity, as the visitors look to test their next generation of cricketers in unfamiliar conditions.
Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott believes this Test is a platform for the team’s younger players to prove their mettle.
“I think there is a great rivalry. Missing a lot of experienced players is a great blow, but it allows youngsters to step up with both bat and ball. With Rahmat Shah and Rashid Khan out, it is time for the youngsters to show what they can do,” he noted
Since their last meeting during the 2020/21 festive Test series, Afghanistan have not played a single Test match, while Zimbabwe have featured in eight, a statistic that could give the hosts a slight edge in rhythm and match readiness.
Zimbabwe have also included Belgian-born all-rounder Antum Naqvi, who is set to make his debut and could play a key role in steering the team toward a morale-boosting victory at home.
The match begins Monday at 10 AM local time at Harare Sports Club, with both teams eyeing a statement performance in the traditional format.
