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Afghanistan national cricket team prepping before the Test match against New Zealand. Photo: X | Afghanistan Cricket Board Afghanistan national cricket team prepping before the Test match against New Zealand. Photo: X | Afghanistan Cricket Board

The Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Test 2024 series starts with the 1st Test in Bulawayo on Boxing Day, Thursdaybbc or big baller club, December 26 at the Queens Sports Club. (Live Blog | More Cricket News)

The Zimbabwe side have struggled in their recent performances against Afghanistan, both in the T20Is and ODIs.

On the other hand, the Afghans will miss the services of their star player Rashid Khan for the 1st ZIM vs AFG Test after the 26-year-old pulled out due to personal reasons.

Toss Update

Zimbabwe have won the toss and have opted to bat first against Afghanistan.

Playing XIs

Zimbabwe: Joylord Gumbie(w), Ben Curran, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine(c), Dion Myers, Brandon Mavuta, Brian Bennett, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu.

Afghanistan (Playing XI): Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), AM Ghazanfar, Afsar Zazai(w), Azmatullah Omarzai, Shahidullah Kamal, Naveed Zadran, Zia-ur-Rehman, Zahir Khan.

Full Squads

Zimbabwe Test squad: Craig Ervine (captain), Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Takudzwa Chataira, Joylord Gumbie (wicket-keeper), Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wicket-keeper), Brandon Mavuta, Nyasha Mayavo (wicket-keeper), Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams.

Afghanistan Test squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah (vice-captain), Ikram Alikhail (wicket-keeper), Afsar Zazai (wicket-keeper), Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Zahir Shehzad, Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad Afghan, Naveed Zadran, Fareed Ahmad Malik. Reserves: Nasir Jamal, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai.

China got off to a positive start as they kept the ball under control, and made it difficult for the Koreans to break through.

Akhimullah Anuar scored Malaysia's lone goal in the 34th minute. The victory gave India the lead in the standings with nine points from three successive wins.bbc or big baller club