Zimbabwe National Cricket Team will be up against the Afghanistan National Cricket Team. The two teams will be up for a two-match Test series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah. Ahead of the series, the Chevrons have announced their squad for the forthcoming series, as Brian Bennett has been named the captain for the side.

Recently, the two sides met in a full-white-ball series, and in the T20I series, it was all Afghanistan who clean-swept the Chevrons 3-0. Then the two sides played in a tri-series where Bangladesh was a part, apart from these two teams. Zimbabwe and Afghanistan played in the final, as the Afghans won the match by 7 wickets.

Zimbabwe try to make a comeback in Test series after poor ODI and T20Is

Zimbabwe Cricket on Wednesday announced the squad. Brian Bennett will be leading the side as their regular captain Richard Ngarava has been out injured. Thus, the vice-captain has been appointed to the leadership role as the Chevrons look to make a strong comeback in the traditional format of the game after their horror show in white-ball cricket.

They have retained their core squad, which won their biggest Test victory in June, defeating Bangladesh by an innings and 85 runs at Harare Sports Club. They will look to do something similar in the UAE. However, this match is outside the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 cycle, given the fact that they are outside the top 9 rankings.

Brian Bennett has a headache in the batting department

Bennett will have a tough time with the batting group, which consists of Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine, as well as Innocent Kaia, Ben Curran, Tadiwanashe Marumani, and Wessly Madhevere. They have a wealth of experience and will look to give their best in the oldest format of the game. This is going to be an exciting battle within the team.

Veteran spinner Graeme Cremer has joined the squad for the Tests. Kundai Matigimu and Vincent Masekesa have returned to the Test squad, while all-rounder Antum Naqvi has been added after meeting the ICC's eligibility criteria to represent Zimbabwe. Naqvi had some paperwork delays, as he is a Belgium-born, Australia-raised cricketer.

Blessing Muzarabani will spearhead the pace bowling attack, as he will be supported by Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Matigimu, and the uncapped Ernest Masuku. Cremer, Masekesa, and Wellington Masakadza will be the frontline spinners.

Zimbabwe deals with major injuries

Richard Ngarava has not recovered from the back injury; he was ruled out of the ODIs and the T20Is as well. The left-arm seamer continued his recovery, missing the home ODI series against Australia. He remains a key figure for the side despite his recent injury problems.

Tanaka Chivanga is also unavailable through injury. He suffered an Achilles tendon injury during practice and he also missed the home series against Australia and the series against Afghanistan as well.

The two Tests, scheduled for 5-9 November and 13-17 November, both the matches will be played at the same stadium.

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