Facebook Pixel Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI vs Zimbabwe- 1st Test 2026 | CREX
All
Latest
Cricket News
Cricket Records
Cricket Analysis
Cricket Prediction
Cricket Reactions
Cricket Listicles
Cricket Stories
Live
GUJGUJ
vs
KERKER
RAJRAJ
vs
HPHP
BRDBRD
vs
UPUP
UAEUAE
vs
OMAOMA
AJTAJT
vs
ABDABD

Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI vs Zimbabwe- 1st Test 2026

Kaushik Kashyap

Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI. [Source - @ACBofficials/X]Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI. [Source - @ACBofficials/X]

Afghanistan will take on Zimbabwe in the first Test of their two-match series, beginning Thursday, November 5. The match will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, with the action getting underway at 11:30 AM IST.

Afghanistan are coming off a marathon batting effort to secure a draw against Bangladesh. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have won their last two Tests at home, including one against Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's playing XI, in particular, will be in focus ahead of the contest. So, let's take a look at Afghanistan's predicted playing XI against Zimbabwe for the first Test in Sharjah.

Openers and Top Order: Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Shahidullah

Abdul Malik will continue opening the innings after scoring 62 in one of the two innings against Bangladesh. However, he averages just 14.07 in 13 Test innings, with just one half-century.

Sediqullah Atal will partner Malik at the top after a brilliant start to his Test career. He scored a magnificent 111 in the fourth innings against Bangladesh and will look to continue that form.

Shahidullah is likely to bat at number three in Afghanistan's predicted playing XI vs Zimbabwe. Having featured in four Tests so far, the left-handed batter averages 20.40 and will be keen to improve his numbers against Zimbabwe.

Middle Order and All-Rounders: Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ikram Alikhil, Ismat Alam

Captain Rahmat Shah will bat at number four and remain the mainstay of Afghanistan's middle-order. He is Afghanistan's highest Test run-scorer, with 1,199 runs at an impressive average of 49.95.

Hashmatullah Shahidi brings valuable experience to the middle-order and is expected to bat at number five. He has a strong record against Zimbabwe, scoring two Test centuries and has an average of 71.57 against them.

Ikram Alikhil is likely to take the wicketkeeping duties while batting at number six in Afghanistan's predicted playing XI vs Zimbabwe. He averages 18.80 in Test cricket and will be expected to provide support to the middle-order.

Ismat Alam could slot in at number seven, adding further batting depth to the side. He has already scored a Test century and will be expected to contribute with both bat and ball.

Bowlers: Qais Ahmad, Zia-ur-Rehman, Yamin Ahmadzai, Mohammad Saleem

Qais Ahmad will lead Afghanistan's spin attack with his leg-break bowling, which could prove crucial on the Sharjah surface. His ability to contribute useful runs down the order also adds depth.

Zia-ur-Rehman is another important spin option, offering a left-arm variation to the attack. With 13 Test wickets to his name, he will look to make the most of this opportunity against Zimbabwe.

Yamin Ahmadzai remains the leading wicket-taking fast bowler for Afghanistan in Tests, with 21 wickets at an average of 32.71. He will be expected to lead the pace attack in Afghanistan's predicted playing XI vs Zimbabwe.

Mohammad Saleem was Afghanistan's pick of the bowlers in the previous Test, claiming four wickets in the first innings and two in the second. He will hope to deliver another impactful performance in Sharjah.

Afghanistan Playing XI vs Zimbabwe – 1st Test 2026

Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Shahidullah, Rahmat Shah (C), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ikram Alikhil (WK), Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad, Zia-ur-Rehman, Yamin Ahmadzai, Mohammad Saleem.