# Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 1st Test: Zimbabwe bat in Sharjah as Antum Naqvi debuts

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/cricket/afghanistan-vs-zimbabwe-1st-test-zimbabwe-bat-in-sharjah-as-antum-naqvi-debuts)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 5 Nov 2026
Updated: 5 Nov 2026
Retrieved: 5 Nov 2026

> Brian Bennett won the toss and batted on a pitch he expects to break up. Graeme Cremer, 40, is back in Test cricket after almost nine years.

Zimbabwe chose to bat in the **first Test against Afghanistan in Sharjah** on Thursday, 5 November 2026, and were **79 for 1 after 22 overs** in the opening session. Innocent Kaia made 34 off 51 balls before he was caught by debutant Rahmanullah off leg-spinner Qais Ahmad with the score on 60. Ben Curran and Brendan Taylor were batting at the time of writing.

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## Antum Naqvi, Pakistan heritage, makes his Test debut

Zimbabwe handed a Test debut to **Antum Naqvi**, 27, a batter of Pakistani heritage who was born in Belgium and has also lived in Australia, ESPNcricinfo reported. Naqvi averages **60.35** in first-class cricket and was the first player to score a triple century for any team in Zimbabwe, making **300 not out** for Mid-West Rhinos against Tuskers in 2024. He bats at six.

## Cremer back after nine years

Leg-spinner **Graeme Cremer**, 40, plays his first Test since December 2017. Afghanistan gave a debut to middle-order batter **Rahmanullah**.

## The toss

Bennett, leading Zimbabwe while regular captain Richard Ngarava recovers from a back problem, said he had no hesitation in batting: "The wicket might tear up later on in the Test match, so I think the first session is going to be important for us." Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah said he also wanted to bat but was happy to bowl first.

## Playing XIs

**Afghanistan:** Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Shahidullah, Rahmat Shah (capt), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rahmanullah, Qais Ahmad, Zia-ur-Rehman, Ziaur Rahman, Mohammad Saleem.

**Zimbabwe:** Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett (capt), Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Antum Naqvi, Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Graeme Cremer, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani.

## Form

Afghanistan come in on a run of wins over Zimbabwe in white-ball cricket in the UAE: they took the T20I series 3-0, with Noor Ahmad taking 5 for 13 in the last match in Sharjah, and won the tri-series final by seven wickets.

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## Frequently asked questions

**Where is the Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 1st Test being played?**

In Sharjah, UAE, starting 5 November 2026.

**Who is Antum Naqvi?**

A 27-year-old Zimbabwe batter of Pakistani heritage, born in Belgium, who made his Test debut against Afghanistan on 5 November 2026.

## Sources

- Naqvi debuts, Cremer returns as Zimbabwe bat in opening Test (ESPNcricinfo): https://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1561499.html
- AFG vs ZIM, 1st Test, live score (Cricbuzz): https://www.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket-scores/172727/afg-vs-zim-1st-test-afghanistan-vs-zimbabwe-in-uae-2026

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