Who Comes Into the Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2nd Test Playing XI After Three 500 Plus Totals?

Afghanistan have four spare names for the second Test in Sharjah: Zazai, Ismat Alam, Khalil Gurbaz and Yamin Ahmadzai, with Rashid Khan and Ibrahim Zadran rested. Zimbabwe lost Ngarava to a back injury, and Chivanga is also out, leaving Brian Bennett to captain a 17-man party. Rahmat Shah captains Afghanistan’s group of 15, which is two fewer than Zimbabwe’s. The first game finished as a draw after totals of 504, 514 and 523 for 5, so the bowling attacks are where changes are most likely.

Naqvi’s Debut and the Draw

The first Test ended in a draw after Zimbabwe made 504 and 523 for 5, and Afghanistan replied with 514. That is three totals above 500 in one match, and Zimbabwe’s two innings alone produced 1,027 runs. Antum Naqvi debuted for Zimbabwe, Rahmanullah for Afghanistan, and Graeme Cremer played his first Test since December 2017.

Naqvi was born in Brussels in 1999, grew up in Australia, and holds a pilot licence. Call-ups in July 2024 and October 2025 stalled over citizenship paperwork, which was cleared in November 2026. Both stalled call-ups came before the clearance, so his debut had been more than two years in the making. His debut brought scores of 9 and 61 with the bat and 0 for 92 with the ball.

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2nd Test Playing XI

Afghanistan’s predicted lineup opens with Sediqullah Atal and Abdul Malik, with Rahmanullah, a debutant in the first Test, at three. Rahmat Shah captains from four, and Hashmatullah Shahidi bats at five. Rahmat Shah’s role as an allrounder at four gives Afghanistan a bowling option in the middle order.

The last six places go to Ikram Alikhil, Shahidullah, Zia-ur-Rehman, Qais Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem and Ziaur Rahman, though their order from six to eleven is unconfirmed. The 15-man group also holds the four reserves, so a late swap in the bowling is possible. Four specialist bowlers and a bowling allrounder fill the lower half. The table lists each role.

Ngarava’s Absence and the Lineup

Bennett, aged 22, leads Zimbabwe. Ngarava is out of the series with a back injury, and Chivanga is also missing from the 17 named. Their absence leaves Muzarabani and Nyamhuri as the pace pair. Zimbabwe come in with a 17-man group, two larger than Afghanistan’s.

The predicted batting order runs Kaia, Curran, Taylor, Bennett and Ervine, with Naqvi at six and Madhevere’s off-spin at seven. Tsiga keeps wicket at eight. Cremer’s leg-spin sits at nine, ahead of Nyamhuri and Muzarabani at ten and eleven.

Bowling Figures From the Drawn Game

Nyamhuri took 5 wickets for 82 in 30.4 overs, six of them maidens. Cremer bowled 55 overs, the heaviest workload on the side, for 3 wickets and 177 runs. Muzarabani took 1 for 93 from 35 overs with nine maidens, and Naqvi went wicketless for 92 in 29.

Afghanistan’s wickets were shared. Saleem took 3 for 82 and Qais 3 for 120, while Zia-ur-Rehman returned 2 for 170 and Ziaur Rahman 1 for 79. Zia-ur-Rehman’s 170 was the costliest Afghan return. Shahidi took 1 for 31, and Shahidullah bowled without success for 11 runs.

Head-to-Head Record and Rested Stars

Before this series, the sides had played five Tests, with two wins each and one draw. The drawn first game makes it six, level at 2-2 with two draws.

Rashid Khan misses the Test on the advice of the medical staff, and Zadran is rested too, so Afghanistan will go in without two of their best-known names. The match starts on 13 November in Sharjah. With both camps keeping options open, the Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2nd Test playing XI is likely to be settled only at the toss.

Which attack will cope better in Sharjah, Nyamhuri’s Zimbabwe or Saleem’s Afghanistan? Share your view in the comments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is Zimbabwe’s captain for the second Test against Afghanistan?

Brian Bennett captains Zimbabwe in the series. He is 22, and he leads a 17-man squad that has lost both Ngarava, with a back injury, and Chivanga.

Is Ngarava playing in the second Test against Afghanistan?

No, Ngarava is ruled out of the series. He has a back injury, and Chivanga is also missing from the Zimbabwe squad, which thins the pace options.

Who is Antum Naqvi?

Naqvi is a Zimbabwe batting allrounder born in Brussels in 1999. He grew up in Australia, was held up by citizenship paperwork until November 2026, and scored 9 and 61 on debut.

Is Rashid Khan playing the second Test against Zimbabwe?

No, Rashid Khan sits out on medical grounds. Ibrahim Zadran is also rested for the second Test in Sharjah, so Afghanistan lose two of their best-known players.

When does the second Test between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe start?

The second Test starts on 13 November at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. It follows a drawn first Test in which three totals passed 500, with Zimbabwe making 504 and 523 for 5.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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