Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Test: Taylor's 131, Cremer and Antum Naqvi
Brendan Taylor's century put Zimbabwe on 326-5 on day one in Sharjah. Why Graeme Cremer and Pakistan-origin Antum Naqvi have people searching.
Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan is the most searched term in Pakistan today, and with good reason: the first of two Tests began in Sharjah on Thursday, 5 November, and the opening day belonged to a 40-year-old. Brendan Taylor made 131 and stand-in captain Brian Bennett was unbeaten on 71 as Zimbabwe reached 326 for 5.
Day one: Taylor turns back the clock
Zimbabwe chose a squad mixing old hands and new faces for this two-Test series, and the old hands delivered first. Taylor’s century gave the opening day to Zimbabwe on a pitch where Afghanistan’s spinners are usually the danger. Bennett, only 22 and leading the side because regular captain Richard Ngarava is out with a back injury, was still there at stumps on 71.
Why ‘Graeme Cremer’ is trending
The veteran leg-spinner, once Zimbabwe’s Test captain, is back in a Test squad. Cremer had long gaps away from international cricket and returned to the national setup after recovering from an arm injury. Sharjah is the kind of ground where a wrist spinner can matter on days four and five, so fans are watching whether he gets a bowl at Afghanistan’s batters.
The Pakistan connection: Antum Naqvi
The other name people are looking up is Antum Naqvi, a 27-year-old of Pakistani origin who was born in Belgium and has built his career in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Cricket confirmed his eligibility on Wednesday after ICC clearance, ending a two-year wait: he was named in a T20 squad against India in July 2024 and for a Test against Afghanistan in October 2025, but paperwork held him back both times.
His domestic numbers explain the patience. Naqvi averages 60.35 with the bat in 24 first-class matches, with six centuries, eight fifties and 62 wickets, and in 2024 he scored an unbeaten 300 for Mid-West Rhinos against Tuskers, the first triple century in Zimbabwe’s domestic first-class cricket.
What to watch
Day two, Friday, is about whether Zimbabwe can stretch that total past 400 or whether Afghanistan’s bowlers clean up the last five wickets quickly. A second Test completes the series.
