Afghanistan and Zimbabwe meet in the second Test at Sharjah Cricket Stadium from 13 to 17 November 2026. The early editorial lean is a draw. The first Test at the same ground produced three huge totals and was drawn. Afghanistan’s top order showed it can build a long innings. Zimbabwe’s batting stayed productive deep into the match. A team win will need a clear change in the contest between bat and ball.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s official schedule confirms the Test dates and Sharjah venue. The supplied fixture lists the start as 11:30 AM IST, 6:00 AM GMT and 10:00 AM local time on 13 November. Final playing XIs are not confirmed at this stage.
Key takeaways
- The match is scheduled for 13 November at 11:30 AM IST at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
- The first Test was drawn after Zimbabwe scored 504 and 523/5 and Afghanistan replied with 514.
- The pre-toss lean is a draw. Afghanistan or Zimbabwe can change that view by taking early wickets and creating a first-innings lead.
Match details
- Match: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, 2nd Test
- Series: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe in UAE 2026
- Format: Test
- Date: Friday, 13 November 2026
- Time: 11:30 AM IST, 6:00 AM GMT, 10:00 AM local time
- Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
- Status: Pre-toss preview
The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s official series and squad announcement confirms the two-match Test series and the 13–17 November window at Sharjah.
Afghanistan team form
Afghanistan made 514 in the first Test. Rahmat Shah scored 173. Rahmanullah made 113. Sediqullah Atal added 105. Those innings gave Afghanistan a strong reply after Zimbabwe’s first-innings 504.
This is the main reason Afghanistan remain in the contest. Their top order showed patience and the ability to bat for long periods. Rahmat’s control in the middle order also gives the side a reliable bridge between the openers and the lower order.
The official Afghanistan Test squad includes Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhail, Afsar Zazai, Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmanullah Zadran, Shahidullah Kamal, Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad and other named squad members. That is squad evidence only. It does not confirm the XI for this Test.
Zimbabwe team form
Zimbabwe’s batting was equally convincing in the opening Test. They made 504 in the first innings and 523 for 5 in the second. Brendan Taylor scored 131 and 82. Brian Bennett made 128. Craig Ervine finished unbeaten on 206. Wessly Madhevere made his maiden Test century and remained unbeaten on 100.
The completed first-Test report from Cricinfo says Zimbabwe batted through the fifth day. It also says the pitch offered little help to the bowlers. That combination made it difficult for Afghanistan to force a result.
Zimbabwe therefore carry strong batting evidence into the second Test. Their challenge is to turn long scores into pressure. A few early wickets would make their experienced middle order even more important.
Sharjah pitch context
The only completed Test in this series at Sharjah is the best current guide. Cricinfo described the surface as unresponsive and said it offered no assistance to the bowlers. Zimbabwe crossed 500 in both innings, while Afghanistan passed 500 once.
That does not guarantee the same conditions again. The match-day strip is unconfirmed. The new ball can still create the best early opening, and long spells may bring a result if one side controls the run rate and keeps taking chances. No weather or dew claim is used here because a dated, reliable match-day source is not available.
Key player and team matchups
Afghanistan’s top-order patience against Zimbabwe’s new-ball attack will be central. Rahmanullah, Atal and Rahmat all made substantial scores in the first Test. If they survive the first spell, Afghanistan can again build a total that keeps the match safe.
Zimbabwe’s main battle is to dismiss those batters before they settle. Their first Test showed that the surface alone may not create enough chances. Bowlers will need tighter lines and better pressure from both ends.
At the other end, Afghanistan must find a way to remove Ervine and Madhevere before another long stand develops. Spin may become more relevant as the Test progresses, but the first Test does not support a confident claim that the surface will suddenly turn sharply.
Toss and match scenarios
There is no confirmed toss result or final XI before the match. If the pitch looks similar to the first Test, batting first should offer time to build a large total. That would make patience and catching more important than an aggressive early approach.
A different result becomes more likely if the new ball moves or if one team loses several early wickets. In that case, the side that limits the first-innings damage will gain the clearest advantage. A quick collapse would also give the spinners more opportunity to attack rather than defend.
Who will win Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, 2nd Test?
No firm team winner is justified before the toss. The cautious pre-match lean is a draw, based on the first Test’s 504, 514 and 523/5 totals and the report that the Sharjah surface offered little assistance to bowlers.
Afghanistan can move ahead of that lean if its top order repeats the first Test’s resistance and its bowlers create early breakthroughs. Zimbabwe can do the same if its experienced batters again control long periods and its attack converts pressure into wickets. The final XI and the visible match-day pitch should be checked before the prediction is updated.
For related coverage, see the verified 4xSports AFG vs ZIM match page.
FAQs
When is the Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2nd Test?
It is scheduled for Friday, 13 November 2026. The supplied fixture lists an 11:30 AM IST start.
Where will the second Test be played?
The match will be played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah, UAE.
What is the early prediction for AFG vs ZIM 2nd Test?
The early lean is a draw because the first Test at Sharjah was dominated by long batting innings. There is no firm team winner before the toss and final XIs.
