Turning their attention to the red-ball cricket after having an enthralling three-match T20I series, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe are gearing up to face each other in the first game of the two-match series starting on November 5 in Sharjah. Afghanistan are high on confidence and success after sweeping Zimbabwe 3-0 in the preceding T20I assignment, which gave them a big boost ahead of the red-ball assignment. Excelling across all departments, Afghanistan made it incredibly difficult for Zimbabwe to challenge them.

Apart from their success in white-ball format, Afghanistan are also coming off a massive accomplishment in red-ball format after they pulled off an unthinkable draw in a one-off Test match against Bangladesh a few days ago in Abu Dhabi. Chasing a target of 479, Afghanistan batted for the whole day, showing great resistance to deny Bangladesh a win, with Sediquallah Atal and Rahmat Shah starring with a century and a fifty. 

Meanwhile, they have retained the same squad that showed resilience against Bangladesh, with Rahmat Shah being at the helm. Shah has been in explosive form lately, bringing up a century and two fifties in his last three innings. Hashmatullah Shahidi and Sediquallah Atal also remain bankable players and would be expected to play their crucial role. On the other hand, Zimbabwe too have success under their belt in red-ball cricket following their spectacular win against Bangladesh in a home Test. 

They will be led by Brian Bennett amid the absence of Richard Ngarava, who is recovering from a back injury. Nonetheless, Zimbabwe will look to their reliable players in Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Innocent Kaia, Wellington Masakadza, and Wessly Madhevere to step up and give a tough competition to Afghanistan.

Head-to-head

Matches - 5

AFG won - 2

ZIM won - 2

Drawn - 1

Afghanistan possible XI: Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Shahidullah Kamal, Rahmat Shah (c), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad, Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar, Yamin Ahmadzai, Mohammad Saleem

Zimbabwe possible XI: Innocent Kaia, Ben Curran, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett (c), Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Wesley Madhevere, Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani