Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan | First Test | 26 December 2024 - 30 December 2024 | Queens Sports Club

[zimfan1]

I got a bad feeling about tomorrow. It's very possible to lose this test in the most embarrassing way. Afghanistan scoring 700 plus is already embarrassing enough. Looking at it now this was the wrong kind of pitch to prepare.

I will be amazed if we don't lose this game. All against us now.

[Googly]

I think we will see a lot of Newman because he can bat as well. He will take that Jongwe/Evans/Faraz role. Maposa is another one.

Ya he looks like he can bat a bit and looks like he can improve. He's not as good a batsman as Luke, Brad or Faraz. He's the new generational gem talent though. The other guys are going to have to do mighty well in domestic to usurp him.
They'd be in the mix in T20 I would think.

The fact that they said Salamander wanted him probably means he was told to seriously consider him.
It must surely be some kind of record being picked for a test before he's played a FC game.

Evans has been absent for so long it's going to be hard to predict how his cricket will look when he gets back to playing regularly. Based on how he was progressing prior to his injuries he'd still be my pick as the seaming all-rounder.

[Googly]

Rashid Khan will be the difference if they prepare the same kind of pitch for the second test. Raza has to replace Brandon.

What about Campbell?

Raza is a tricky bowler. If Bennett was bowling well initially imagine what Raza could have done?

Campbell is the right choice, he's done everything right in red ball and he can bowl and has been underutilised in that department.

This SA Pakistan test is down to the wire. They need 32 and they're 8 down.

Our test has potential to backfire on us for sure. We just have to believe we will continue to bat well and the pitch doesn't suddenly deteriorate.

[sam_ahm]

There are two thrilling test matches going on in parallel and then there is this one that would put everyone to sleep.

Zimbabwe of the past would have given us a pitch and a match very similar to the one in South Africa but this is a sad state of affairs in ZC. It's basically going no where.

[Andy31]

I guess it’s going nowhere but at the same time we are still going.

We just lost the one dayers and this game is still going .

I will say, I’m unsure if this is our best bowlers. Be interesting to see the next games pitch

[tgk]

I got a bad feeling about tomorrow. It's very possible to lose this test in the most embarrassing way. Afghanistan scoring 700 plus is already embarrassing enough. Looking at it now this was the wrong kind of pitch to prepare.

All it takes is one innings where we capitulate with the lead below 100 or if we're extra special we don't even take the lead and get bundled fully

But let's just hope it stays boring and we get the draw and move on, the win is pretty much out of the question now

[Googly]

This rain is eating into us having to bat what could be a very tricky session tomorrow.

[Jemisi]

I wonder if they might declare behind and have a crack at us straight away

[ZIMDOGGY]

In hindsight a lot of my negative suspicions might be correct.
Even though we loaded up, at many times a few of our bats looked very shaky and lucky to survive. Ervine especially.
Makes me wonder if he would have done anything on a good pitch and that makes me sad. He got that century through pure mentality patience (no small thing) but I think skilled bowling would have got him.

[ZIMDOGGY]

I think we will see a lot of Newman because he can bat as well. He will take that Jongwe/Evans/Faraz role. Maposa is another one.

Ya he looks like he can bat a bit and looks like he can improve. He's not as good a batsman as Luke, Brad or Faraz. He's the new generational gem talent though. The other guys are going to have to do mighty well in domestic to usurp him.
They'd be in the mix in T20 I would think.

The fact that they said Salamander wanted him probably means he was told to seriously consider him.
It must surely be some kind of record being picked for a test before he's played a FC game.

Evans has been absent for so long it's going to be hard to predict how his cricket will look when he gets back to playing regularly. Based on how he was progressing prior to his injuries he'd still be my pick as the seaming all-rounder.

Do you agree with his selection?