Brian Bennett to lead Zimbabwe in Afghanistan Tests, Antum Naqvi earns maiden call up

Brian Bennett will lead Zimbabwe in the upcoming two-match Test series against Afghanistan. Zimbabwe Cricket unveiled the 17-member squad on Wednesday, November 4, handing the leadership duties to Bennett in the absence of the injured Richard Ngarava.

Fast bowler Tanaka Chivanga will also miss the series due to injury, while Belgian-born allrounder Antum Naqvi has earned his place in the team after meeting the ICC's criteria for eligibility for his adopted country. 

Naqvi has been playing in Zimbabwe since 2023 and has an impressive first-class record, having scored 1871 runs from 24 matches at an average of 60.35 with six centuries and eight fifties. The 27-year-old was the first player to score a triple-century for any team in Zimbabwe and has also scalped 62 wickets.

Zimbabwe’s batting lineup boasts plenty of experience, with Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine joining Innocent Kaia, Ben Curran, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Wessly Madhevere as key options alongside Bennett.

Taylor and Ervine stayed behind in the UAE following the recent ODI tri-series to prepare for the upcoming red-ball assignment, while experienced leg-spinner Graeme Cremer has also been recalled to the Test squad.

Test series begins on November 5

Kundai Matigimu and Vincent Masekesa return to the Test setup. In the pace department, Blessing Muzarabani will lead the attack, having the support of Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Matigimu and uncapped fast bowler Ernest Masuku.

The two-match Test series begins on November 5 in Sharjah, with the second Test scheduled to be played from November 13-17 at the same venue. 

Zimbabwe squad for Afghanistan Tests: Brian Bennett (capt), Antum Naqvi, Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Graeme Cremer, Innocent Kaia, Ernest Masuku, Kundai Matigimu, Newman Nyamhuri, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Wessly Madhevere