Now Reading: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2nd Test: Series Decider Awaits in Sharjah After a Run-Fest Draw
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Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2nd Test: Series Decider Awaits in Sharjah After a Run-Fest Draw
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2nd Test: Series Decider Awaits in Sharjah After a Run-Fest Draw
The runs flowed, the bowlers toiled, and nobody blinked. Now Afghanistan and Zimbabwe return to Sharjah with the series level at 0-0 and everything still to play for. After a 1,500-plus run draw, one side must find a way to take 20 wickets.
Series Level After a Batting Marathon
Afghanistan host Zimbabwe in the second and final Test at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, starting Friday, November 13. The opening Test ended in a draw. Both sides showed enormous batting resilience, but neither could force a result.
Zimbabwe posted 504 in their first innings and declared at 523/5 in the second. Afghanistan replied with 514 in their only innings.
| Team | Innings Score |
|---|---|
| Zimbabwe (1st innings) | 504 |
| Afghanistan (1st innings) | 514 |
| Zimbabwe (2nd innings) | 523/5 declared |
Zimbabwe’s Batters Set a High Bar
Zimbabwe arrive with plenty of confidence. Their top order dominated the first Test and will back itself to do it again.
Veteran Brendan Taylor scored 131 and 82. Craig Ervine finished unbeaten on 206 in the second innings. Brian Bennett made 128 not out and 50, while Wessly Madhevere struck an unbeaten century.
Key Zimbabwe Performers in Test 1
| Batter | Score |
|---|---|
| Craig Ervine | 206* |
| Brendan Taylor | 131 and 82 |
| Brian Bennett | 128* and 50 |
| Wessly Madhevere | Unbeaten century |
Afghanistan Look to Turn Home Comfort Into a Win
Afghanistan matched Zimbabwe blow for blow with the bat. Rahmat Shah led the way with 173, while Sediqullah Atal (105) and Rahmanullah Zadran (113) also reached centuries.
The hosts will want to use home conditions to their advantage. The real task is simple to state and hard to achieve: their bowlers must put Zimbabwe under pressure and take 20 wickets.
Key Afghanistan Performers in Test 1
| Batter | Score |
|---|---|
| Rahmat Shah | 173 |
| Rahmanullah Zadran | 113 |
| Sediqullah Atal | 105 |
AFG vs ZIM: Match Details
| Match | Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, 2nd Test, Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe in UAE, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Date and Time (IST) | November 13-November 17, 2026, 10:30 AM (IST) |
| Venue | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah |
| Broadcast and Live Streaming | FanCode (App & Website) |
Sharjah Pitch Report
Expect another good batting surface. The first Test produced scores of 504, 523/5 and 514, and batters enjoyed good conditions throughout.
Spinners could come into play as the surface wears, especially over the later days. Whoever finds early breakthroughs may finally tilt this series.
Head-to-Head Record in Tests
The rivalry is perfectly balanced. Each side has won two Tests, and two have ended without a result.
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 6 |
| Won by AFG | 2 |
| Won by ZIM | 2 |
| Drawn/No Result | 2 |
| First-ever Fixture | March 02-03, 2021 |
| Most Recent Fixture | November 05-09, 2026 |
Predicted Playing XIs
Afghanistan
Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Shahidullah Kamal, Rahmat Shah (c), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rahmanullah, Qais Ahmad, Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Mohammad Saleem Safi.
Zimbabwe
Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett (c), Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Antum Naqvi, Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Graeme Cremer, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani.
What to Watch
After a run-fest, the spotlight shifts to the bowlers. Both attacks were stretched in the opener, and both know a series win depends on taking wickets.
With the series on the line and batting form strong on both sides, the first session of the decider could set the tone for the five days.
