Afghanistan's two-Test series against Zimbabwe got under way at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday. Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat in the first Test, while middle-order batter Rahmanullah Zadran made his Test debut for Afghanistan, becoming, according to the Afghanistan Cricket Board, the 43rd player to represent the country in the format.
Rahmat Shah leads Afghanistan, with Abdul Malik and Sediqullah Atal opening the batting, former captain Hashmatullah Shahidi adding experience in the middle order and Ikram Ali Khil keeping wicket. Leg-spinner Rashid Khan and opener Ibrahim Zadran are missing; the board said both were being rested from Test cricket on medical advice.
Afghanistan come into the series after a 3-0 T20 sweep of Zimbabwe at the same venue. In Sunday's final match, Noor Ahmad took five wickets for 13 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 79, and Afghanistan reached the target in 8.1 overs to win by seven wickets. Their last Test, against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi in October, ended in a draw.
Zimbabwe are led by 22-year-old Brian Bennett, with experienced players including Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, returning leg-spinner Graeme Cremer and fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani in the squad. The first Test runs from November 5 to 9, and the second from November 13 to 17 at the same ground.