As Zimbabwe and Afghanistan lock horns once again in the second and final Test match of the series, the memory of raining runs is still fresh in the minds of both the teams. The Queens Sports Club became a paradise for batters of both the teams in the previous encounter, even though the match ended in a draw.
The hosts will look forward to continuing the batting streak they gained in the first Test. Afghanistan, however, disappointed at the outcome of the previous Test due to rain on the final day and a brave resistance from Zimbabwean batters, would look forward to claim a series win in Zimbabwe and end the tour with their heads held high.
Queens Sports Club Pitch Report
The pitch at the Queens Sports Club is expected to remain batting-friendly like the Boxing Day Test. However, as on the final day of the previous Test, a gentle shower from the rain gods can change its nature slightly for this Test as well. The pitch is expected to have some turn as the Test match reaches its final days of action. Thus, spin bowlers can cause some trouble to batters as the match progresses.
Weather can play a crucial role in a team’s decision to bat or bowl first after winning the toss. However, given the way pitch has behaved in the previous Test, the team winning the toss will generally tilt towards batting first and exerting scoreboard pressure on the other team.
Test Stats and Records at Queens Sports Club
Total Matches : 26
: 26 Matches won batting first: 4
4 Matches won bowling first: 12
12 Average 1st innings score: 318
318 Average 2nd innings score : 407
: 407 Average 3rd innings score : 210
: 210 Average 4th innings score : 175
: 175 Highest total recorded: 713/3 (165.3 Overs) by Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe
713/3 (165.3 Overs) by Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Lowest total recorded: 104/10 (49 Overs) by Zimbabwe vs West Indies
ZIM vs AFG: Head-to-head record in Test cricket
Total matches : 3
: 3 Afghanistan won : 1
: 1 Zimbabwe won: 1
1 Drawn matches : 1
: 1 Afghanistan’s highest total against Zimbabwe: 699
699 Afghanistan’s lowest total Against Zimbabwe: 131
131 Zimbabwe’s highest total against Afghanistan: 586
586 Zimbabwe’s lowest total against Afghanistan: 250
Squads:
Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Ikram Alikhail (wk), Afsar Zazai (wk), Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Zahir Shehzad, Rashid Khan, Yamin 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.
ZIM vs AFG 2025, 2nd Test: Queens Sports Club Pitch Report, Bulawayo Test stats and Records
