Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE captain Craig Ervine says the Chevrons will be hoping to put behind them a difficult period of Test cricket and record a rare win when they host Afghanistan in a one-off match at Harare Sports Club beginning today.
The Chevrons, who have just one win in nine Tests this year, need to redeem themselves in the longest format, having punched below their weight against a variety of opponents who include Ireland, England, South Africa, Bangladesh and New Zealand.
They are welcoming back Afghanistan for the second time this year, having lost a two-match series that kicked off on Boxing Day last year and spilled into the new year.
But Ervine, who is returning from a calf injury, believes the experiences came with priceless lessons and is expecting a change of fortunes.
“I think a lot has been spoken about our year of Test cricket and obviously, we haven’t really put in the performances that we would have liked,” he said.
“We’ve played some really tough opposition — England, New Zealand, South Africa. That’s a tough opposition for us to play.
“We don’t play a lot of Test cricket so it’s been an eye-opening year for us.
“So, coming into this Test match, I think everybody wants to be able to see what we’ve learnt over the last year or so of Test cricket. I think Afghanistan is not really a lesser side. I think they’re still a very threatening side and a side that you can’t be complacent about,” said Ervine.
The difference between the sides, however, is that Afghanistan have not played any Test since their last meeting with Zimbabwe at the beginning of the year, while the Chevrons had eight other engagements.
But Zimbabwe only won once against Bangladesh in Sylhet while they suffered innings defeats in four Test this year.
The Chevrons will be back in Harare for Test cricket for the first time in about four years, having last played the longest version on this turf in 2021 when they played Pakistan.
Queens Sports Club has hosted all the Tests since then, without success, with Harare Sports Club mainly staging limited overs games. But can this change the team’s fortunes, considering Zimbabwe last won a Test in Harare in 2013?
“I think the guys are obviously excited to be back here and playing a Test match here at Harare.
“The preparations throughout the week have been really good. Although it’s only been one week of preparations for the Test match, the guys have put in huge amounts of shifts.
“So, I think everybody mentally and physically are certainly ready for tomorrow (today),” said Ervine.
Ervine will lead a side with experienced campaigners like Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani alongside the talented young opener Brian Bennett.
There is an exciting prospect for Zimbabwe following the addition to the squad of Antum Naqvi, who is in line for his debut having recently qualified to play for Zimbabwe.
The 26-year-old Naqvi was born in Belgium and moved to Australia at the age of four. He relocated to Zimbabwe in 2023 and has posted brilliant statistics in domestic cricket, with successes that included winning the Logan Cup with Rhinos. He has also featured in the Zimbabwe A and was in brilliant form with a 108 against the visiting Marylebone Cricket Club.
“Antum has obviously done exceptionally well, I think, in domestic and obviously scored some runs against MCC.
“Having him around the group is also really good. You can see the positive energy that he brings to the group and his preparations this week have been good as well.
“He’s been tested in the nets, obviously, with a much higher quality training that we have been doing, which is good for him to be exposed to as well, for him to learn.
“So he’s really enjoyed that and we’re really looking to see what he can provide for Zimbabwe on the international scene,” said Ervine.
Afghanistan have played fewer Tests than Zimbabwe but are certainly not pushovers.
They rested star spinner Rashid Khan as a precaution for this tour. The 27-year-old had back surgery in 2023 and selectors want to keep him fit for next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Their squad includes some fresh faces that have done well at domestic level.
Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the Test team, which has Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Bahir Shah, and wicketkeepers Afsar Zazai and Ikram Alikhil.
“This team is slightly different to the side that came last year, towards the end of last year and the beginning of this year,” said Ervine.
“So there’s a lot of names that we don’t really know or aren’t too familiar with. But again, I think they’re not a side that you can take lightly.
“I think those guys are very passionate about their cricket. They’re guys that don’t lie down. They’re always going to fight right to the end,” said Ervine.
Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott said his team is focused on winning the Test that will be followed by a three-match T20I series.
“Our focus at the moment, or for me certainly, is this Test match in these five days starting tomorrow (today),” said Trott.
The absence of Khan and injured Rahmat Shah will certainly come as good news to Zimbabwe, but the tourists are not worried much.
“Obviously missing Rahmat Shah as well as experienced Test players is a bit of a blow, but that gives an opportunity to loads of the youngsters that are in the line-up tomorrow with bat or ball to step up. “So, it’s exciting times and we look forward to tomorrow (today),” said Trott.
