Here are the Predictions for Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe in UAE 2026, 1st Test Match – Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, to be played on the 5th of November at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah.
Match Prediction – Afghanistan v Zimbabwe
LIVE SCORES – 1st Test Match – Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe (Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah)
Ground Stat:
Average 1st Innings Total at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah (Tests) – 353
Average 2nd Innings Total at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah (Tests) – 353
Average 3rd Innings Total at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah (Tests) – 212
Average 4th Innings Total at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah (Tests) – 177
Current Form Afghanistan:
Afghanistan haven’t yet earned a rating in ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings.
Afghanistan aren’t a strong red ball side. They recently played against Bangladesh in a One Off Test, which they managed to draw. The drawn game against Zimbabwe was definitely a level up in their red ball game.
Afghanistan are led by Rahmat Shah for the Test Series. They have named their full strength squad that includes players like Ikram Alikhil, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Sediqullah Atal and Khalil Gurbaz. They showed lot of character in the Test Match against Bangladesh and it should only give them confidence before the Test Series against Zimbabwe.
Players to look out for:
1. Sediqullah Atal – He is a highly talented top order player, who is the future star of Afghanistan cricket. If Atal gets going in the Test Series, Afghanistan will have great chances against Zimbabwe.
2. Qais Ahmad – He is an intelligent leg spinner, who has plenty of variations in his bowling arsenal. Ahmad can provide breakthroughs when it matters the most for his team. He is expected to be amongst wickets in the upcoming games.
Current Form Zimbabwe:
Zimbabwe are currently placed at the 10th position on ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings with a rating of 17.
When it comes to Test Cricket, Zimbabwe are in superb form. They last played against Bangladesh in June this year in a One Off Test, which they managed to win by an inning and 85 runs.
Zimbabwe are led by the young Brian Bennett, who has great potential to be a high quality leader for the red ball side. Zimbabwe have named stars like Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Newman Nyamhuri, Brad Evans and Blessing Muzarabani in the squad.
Zimbabwe will certainly have an upper hand against a weak Afghanistan side.
Players to look out for:
1. Ben Curran – He is an improved red ball player. Curran can play marathon knocks in Test Cricket and doesn’t throw his wicket away. He bats with full concentration and Curran is expected to score plenty of runs in the Test Series against Afghanistan.
2. Blessing Muzarabani – He is one of the best fast bowlers in Zimbabwe cricket currently. Muzarabani can provide breakthroughs at important junctures of a match. He may become the top wicket taker for Zimbabwe in the Test Series.
Let’s have a look at the squads:
Afghanistan Test Squad
Rahmat Shah (Captain), Ikram Alikhail (Vice-Captain & Wicketkeeper), Afsar Zazai (Wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmanullah Zadran, Shahidullah Kamal, Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad, Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, Khalil Gurbaz, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Yamin Ahmadzai
Zimbabwe Test Squad
Brian Bennett (Captain), Antum Naqvi, Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Graeme Cremer, Innocent Kaia, Ernest Masuku, Kundai Matigimu, Newman Nyamhuri, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Wessly Madhevere
ICC Ranking – Test Teams
Cricket Match Predictions* – PrePlay
Who will win the toss? – Zimbabwe
Who will win? – Zimbabwe
Top Batter (Runs Scored) – Rahmat Shah (Afghanistan), Craig Ervine (Zimbabwe)
Top Bowler (Wickets taken) – Qias Ahmad (Afghanistan), Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwe)
Most Sixes – Ikram Alikhil (Afghanistan), Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe)
Player of the Match – Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwe)
Team Scores Batting first – Afghanistan 210+, Zimbabwe 285+
Match Handicap : Zimbabwe
Live Cricket Streaming Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe in UAE 2026 – The live cricket streaming page which enables you to watch live cricket – Geo-restrictions apply
*NB these predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In-Play’ features, so stay tuned.
Also, the predictions and picks are formulated from the stats and information sourced and compiled from AI and Stats experts – Always remember, when the fun stops… STOP
© Cricket World 2026
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