Zimbabwe Predicted Playing XI vs Afghanistan- 1st Test 2026

Mayank

Zimbabwe Test predicted XI vs Afghanistan [Source: AFP]

Zimbabwe's all-format tour of the UAE enters its final phase, with the first Test against Afghanistan set to take place from November 5 to 9 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium at 10:30 AM (IST). After losing the ODI tri-series final and a 0-3 T20I series, the Africans will have their last shot at a trophy in this two-match series, with both games scheduled at the same venue.

The two sides have locked horns in five Test matches, with two wins each and a draw in Bulawayo in 2024. Zimbabwe's only Test in 2026 was against Bangladesh, winning comprehensively by an innings and 85 runs.

As they look to take the head-to-head lead against Afghanistan, here's Zimbabwe's predicted XI.

Top Order: Innocent Kaia, Ben Curran, Brendan Taylor

Innocent Kaia was Zimbabwe's best batter in the only Test against Bangladesh earlier this year. He scored 140 off 227 balls at the top to make sure his team took a substantial first innings lead in the match. Kaia will likely continue opening with Ben Curran, who has played 64 FC games for Northamptonshire, scoring 3781 runs at an average of 38.58.

The 41-year-old veteran Brendan Taylor stayed back with the team after the ODI tri-series and will be back in the XI for the Tests. In 37 matches, he has scored 2420 runs at an average f 35.58 with 6 hundreds to his name.

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Middle Order and Allrounders: Craig Ervine, Brian Bennett (c), Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Brad Evans

The experienced middle-order batter, Craig Ervine will be the number 4 for Zimbabwe, as he closes in to the 2000 Test runs. So far, he has four centuries to his name, and will be returning from an injury for the Tests. At 41, he is still one of their better long-format batter.

Brian Bennett, who has been a bit out of form lately is on the lookout to get into some rhythm. In Zimbabwe's only Test this year, he scored a brisk 59 (67) with 9 fours to his name and has two Test centuries and three fifties to his name in 12 Tests. He will captain the side in Ngarava's absence in the series.

Antum Naqvi will finally have a shot at international cricket for Zimbabwe after his paperwork was recently cleared. The Belgium-born allrounder averages a brilliant 60.35 after 23 First Class matches for 1871 runs. He has 6 hundreds and 8 fifties, with the best score of 300* and 62 wickets with his off-spin.

Naqvi will be followed by wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga, with 2771 FC runs with a healthy experience of 68 matches to his name. He has 5 hundreds and 15 fifties in FC cricket, but is yet to replicate that in Tests, as he only averages 13.80 in the format.

Pace-bowling allrounder Brad Evans will slot in at number 8 to complete the deep batting lineup. The 29-year-old has scored 754 runs in 28 FC matches and after becoming a mainstay in white-ball cricket, he is looking to cement his place in Tests. Evans has 76 wickets at an average of 24.71 in 28 matches.

Bowlers- Graeme Cremer, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani

The 40-year-old Graeme Cremer last played a Test in 2017, but was called back into the squad during the Bangladesh series. With the Sharjah conditions more suitabale for his bowling, he can be brought into the playing XI for the first time in almost a decade. He also has a Test century to his name, making him a reliable number 9.

Captain Richard Ngarava is yet to come back from his back injury and in his absence, Newman Nyamhuri will be the left-arm quick for Zimbabwe. The 20-year-old is making a mark early in his career, with 12 scalps in 5 matches and overall 30 FC wickets at an average of 27.

Finally, the leader of the bowling attack will be right-arm pacer Blessing Muzarabani will complete the playing XI. Muzarabani recently completed his 100 T20Is and in Tests, he has 73 scalps in 19 matches, at an economy rate of 3.29 and a good average of 25.20. He will be their x-factor if Zimbabwe wants to do well in the series.

Zimbabwe Playing XI vs Afghanistan- 1st Test 2026

Innocent Kaia, Ben Curran, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Brian Bennett (c), Tafadzwa Tsiga(wk), Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani.