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Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 1st Test Preview & Tips - Afghanistan to ease past Zimbabwe in Test series opener

By Ben Darvill

1 hour ago

Ben Darvill 1 hour ago

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The nations will battle across two Test matches
Afghanistan have won two of their previous three Tests against Zimbabwe (L1)
Preview, stats & head to head

Afghanistan's Rahmat Shah (R) (Getty Images)

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 1st Test Preview & Tips
Head To Head
Afghanistan Form
Zimbabwe Form

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 1st Test Preview & Tips

Afghanistan will take on Zimbabwe in the first of two tests this week. The home side are looking to end a run of three without a win in the longest format, while Zimbabwe arrive hoping to extend a two-game winning run.

Zimbabwe have lost six of their last eight Tests (W2)

Head To Head

The pair have met four times in the Test game, with Afghanistan winning twice and Zimbabwe winning twice.

Afghanistan Form

Afghanistan arrive as the favourite to win this match, but they are not in the best of form following a run of three without a win in the Test game.

A 72-run win over Zimbabwe in their clash back in January of 2025 was followed by a crushing innings and 73-run loss to the same opponent in the following match. They were then obliterated by India in a loss by an innings and 300 runs that showcased just how far behind the best they are. They then battled to a draw with Bangladesh in their one-off Test.

While they did bounce back from a pair of defeats with a draw against Bangladesh, this was a game they were battling to save rather than win. Indeed, set an improbable 479 to win in their second innings, Afghanistan did well to make their way to a score of 346 but, with only two wickets remaining, they had to fight hard to ensure they were not bowled out.

Against Zimbabwe, Afghanistan will be confident. The travelling side have won their last two, but both have been at home. Prior to this, they had lost six times. While Afghanistan are still short of the very best, they are the side to back against Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Form

Zimbabwe may arrive for this Test series on the back of wins over Bangladesh and Afghanistan, but they are still building back from a six-game losing run between April 2025 to August 2025.

As has always been the case with Zimbabwe and the improving teams, playing consistently across formats is hugely important to their continued development. However, consistent heavy defeats will not provide them with the confidence they need even if it is more experience out in the middle.

Indeed, their last six defeats have been by an innings and 106 runs, an innings and 45 runs, 328 runs, an innings and 236 runs, nine wickets and an innings and 359 runs. Playing against the likes of England, South Africa and New Zealand will see Zimbabwe given a clash alongside some of the best, but there is no room for error against them.

Their pair of wins over Afghanistan and Bangladesh across their last two shows major improvement, but the pair are still ahead of Zimbabwe. Indeed, I predict that this series will likely see Zimbabwe's winning run brought to a grinding halt.

Verdict

Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 1st Test

I am backing Afghanistan to beat Zimbabwe in their opening Test as the latter's winning run is brought to an end.

Afghanistan

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