Zimbabwe Cricket has announced its squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Brian Bennett will step in as captain, taking the reins from the injured Richard Ngarava.

The series kicks off on November 5, with the second Test scheduled for November 13. Both matches will be held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. This squad largely mirrors the team that secured Zimbabwe's biggest Test victory in June, defeating Bangladesh by an innings and 85 runs.

Zimbabwe Cricket confirmed that Ngarava is recovering from a back injury, and fellow pacer Tanaka Chivanga is also unavailable due to injury. Bennett will have a strong batting lineup at his disposal, including experienced players like Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine, alongside Innocent Kaia, Ben Curran, Tadiwanashe Marumani, and Wessly Madhevere.

Taylor and Ervine remained in the UAE post-ODI tri-series to prepare for the red-ball challenge, while veteran leg-spinner Graeme Cremer has joined the squad. Kundai Matigimu and Vincent Masekesa return to the Test setup, and all-rounder Antum Naqvi, now ICC-eligible, has also been included. Blessing Muzarabani will spearhead the pace attack, supported by Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Matigimu, and uncapped Ernest Masuku. Cremer, Masekesa, and Wellington Masakadza offer specialist spin options, with Tafadzwa Tsiga as the wicketkeeper-batter.

This Test series marks the conclusion of Zimbabwe's extensive UAE tour, which previously included an ODI tri-series with Afghanistan and Bangladesh, and a T20I series against Afghanistan.

Squad: Brian Bennett (captain), 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.

Disclaimer: This story is sourced from a syndicated agency feed and has been refined using artificial intelligence to improve readability. Please note that this article was published automatically and has not undergone a human editorial review.