As Zimbabwe et Afghanistan clash once again in the second and final Test match of the series, the memory of the rain-soaked races is still fresh in the minds of both the teams. THE Queens Sports Club became a batting paradise for both teams in the previous encounter, even though the match ended in a draw.
The hosts will be looking forward to continuing the batting streak they picked up in the first Test. Afghanistan, however, disappointed with the previous Test result due to rain on the final day and some courageous resistance from Zimbabwean batting, would be looking forward to securing a series victory in Zimbabwe and ending the tour with their heads held high .
Queens Sports Club Pitch Report
The Queens Sports Club ground is expected to remain batting-friendly, like the Boxing Day Test. However, like the last day of the previous Test, a gentle downpour from the rain gods may also change its nature slightly for this Test. The pitch is expected to take some turn as the Test match reaches its final days of action. So, spin bowlers can cause problems for batters as the match progresses.
Weather can play a crucial role in a team's decision to bat or field first after winning the toss. However, given how the toss performed in the previous Test, the team that wins the toss will usually lean towards batting first and put scoreboard pressure on the other team.
Test statistics and records at Queens Sports Club
- Total number of matches: 26
- Games won batting first: 4
- Matches won bowling first: 12
- Average score in 1st round: 318
- Average score of the 2nd round: 407
- Average score in the 3rd round: 210
- Average score in the 4th round: 175
- Highest total recorded: 713/3 (165.3 overs) by Sri Lanka against Zimbabwe
- Lowest total recorded: 104/10 (49 Overs) by Zimbabwe against West Indies
Also Read: ZIM vs AFG: After Rahmat Shah, Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi Smashes Double Century For Afghanistan In First Test In Bulawayo
ZIM vs AFG: Head-to-head record in Test cricket
- Total matches: 3
- Afghanistan won: 1
- Zimbabwe won: 1
- Draws: 1
- Afghanistan's highest total against Zimbabwe: 699
- Afghanistan's lowest total against Zimbabwe: 131
- Zimbabwe's highest total against Afghanistan: 586
- Zimbabwe's lowest total against Afghanistan: 250
Squads:
Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Ikram Alikhail (semaine), Afsar Zazai (semaine), Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Zahir Shehzad, Rachid KhanYamin Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad Afghan, Naveed Zadran and Fareed Ahmad Malik.
Zimbabwe : Craig Ervine (c), Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Takudzwa Chataira, Joylord Gumbie, Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brandon Mavuta, Nyasha Mayavo, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams.
