Zimbabwe Welcomes Seven Uncapped Players to Test Squad for Afghanistan Series
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New Delhi, Dec 19 (NationPress) Zimbabwe has announced a squad that includes seven uncapped players for the forthcoming two-match Test series versus Afghanistan. The matches will occur at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Among the uncapped players are batter Ben Curran, who recently debuted for Zimbabwe, along with wicketkeeper-batters Tadiwanashe Marumani and Nyasha Mayavo, as well as pace bowlers Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwa Chataira, and Newman Nyamhuri.
This series is a significant milestone for Zimbabwe cricket, marking the first time in 28 years that they will host a Boxing Day Test at home. The last Boxing Day Test held in Zimbabwe was in 1996, which ended in a rain-affected draw against England at Harare Sports Club.
Since then, Zimbabwe has only participated in Boxing Day Tests outside the country, once against New Zealand in 2000 and again against South Africa in 2017, the latter being a pink-ball day-night fixture in Port Elizabeth. The first Test against Afghanistan is scheduled from December 26-30, followed by Zimbabwe's inaugural New Year’s Test on January 2-6, 2025.
This will be Zimbabwe’s second Test in 2024 after a one-off match against Ireland in Belfast in July, which they lost by four wickets. Craig Ervine will lead the team, featuring seasoned players like Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Blessing Muzarabani, and Richard Ngarava.
In the T20I series against Afghanistan, Zimbabwe lost 2-1 and are currently competing in the second ODI at Harare, before moving to Bulawayo for the third ODI and two Tests.
Zimbabwe Test squad: 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.
