Zimbabwe have named a 17-member squad for the two-Test series against Afghanistan at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, with Brian Bennett leading in place of injured regular captain Richard Ngarava. The announcement follows a 3-0 T20I defeat and a tri-series final loss, which makes the red-ball format a chance to reset.
Series Overview and Schedule
Both Tests will be played at the same venue in Sharjah. The matches fall outside the World Test Championship 2025-2027 cycle, because Zimbabwe sit outside the top nine in the rankings.
That means the series carries no WTC points. It still offers a measurable test of Zimbabwe's red-ball progress.
| Match | Dates | Venue |
|---|
| 1st Test | 5-9 November | Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
| 2nd Test | 13-17 November | Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
Recent Form Heading Into the Tests
Zimbabwe's recent white-ball record against Afghanistan is poor. Afghanistan clean-swept the T20I series 3-0, then beat Zimbabwe by 7 wickets in the tri-series final, which also included Bangladesh.
White-Ball Results Against Afghanistan
| Series | Result | Margin |
|---|
| T20I series | Afghanistan won | 3-0 |
| Tri-series final | Afghanistan won | 7 wickets |
The red-ball picture is better. Zimbabwe's biggest Test win came in June, when they beat Bangladesh by an innings and 85 runs at Harare Sports Club. The core of that squad has been retained.
Squad Composition by the Numbers
The 17-man group is built around six specialist batters, five pace options and three frontline spinners. Antum Naqvi adds all-round depth.
| Role | Players | Count |
|---|
| Captain | Brian Bennett | 1 |
| Batters | Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Innocent Kaia, Ben Curran, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wessly Madhevere | 6 |
| All-rounder | Antum Naqvi | 1 |
| Pace bowlers | Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Kundai Matigimu, Ernest Masuku | 5 |
| Spinners | Graeme Cremer, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza | 3 |
| Other | Tafadzwa Tsiga | 1 |
Batting Group
Bennett leads a batting unit that mixes experience with younger options. Taylor and Ervine bring the most Test experience, while Kaia, Curran, Marumani and Madhevere provide depth.
Selection among these names will be a key internal contest.
Bowling Attack
Muzarabani is set to lead the pace attack, supported by Evans, Nyamhuri and Matigimu. Masuku is uncapped. Cremer, Masekesa and Masakadza form the spin group.
Cremer has been recalled, and Masekesa and Matigimu are back in the Test squad.
Naqvi Eligibility and Injury Impact
Naqvi, who was born in Belgium and raised in Australia, has been added after meeting ICC eligibility criteria. His selection had been held up by paperwork delays.
Two injuries have reshaped the group. Ngarava is out with a back injury, and Tanaka Chivanga is unavailable with an injury of his own. Both are absent from the squad.
| Player | Status | Impact |
|---|
| Richard Ngarava | Back injury | Regular captain unavailable; Bennett leads |
| Tanaka Chivanga | Injured | Reduced pace depth |
Analytical Outlook
The series pairs a Zimbabwe side that won by an innings and 85 runs in June with an Afghanistan side that has dominated recent white-ball meetings. Those results came in a different format, so they are only a partial guide.
The key variables are Muzarabani's output, the spin balance after Cremer's recall, and how the top order handles Sharjah conditions. Bennett's first Tests as captain will also be closely watched.