Antum Naqvi, the Pakistan-origin all-rounder, is set for his Zimbabwe Test debut after the International Cricket Council (ICC) cleared him to play for the country. Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) confirmed his eligibility on Wednesday, and he has been named in the squad for the two-match Test series against Afghanistan, which begins in Sharjah on Thursday.
Eligibility after a long wait
Naqvi is Belgian-born and has played domestic cricket in Zimbabwe since 2023. He had missed earlier chances to represent the national team because of citizenship documentation issues. With the ICC's eligibility requirements now met, he is in contention to make his international debut.
Zimbabwe Cricket's confirmation on Wednesday ended a prolonged wait for a player regarded as one of the country's most promising batting talents. The ICC is the sport's global governing body, and its clearance is what allowed him to be selected.
Captaincy and the opening Test
Brian Bennett, 22, has been appointed captain for the series in place of regular skipper Richard Ngarava, who remains sidelined with a back injury. Reports say Zimbabwe will bat first in the opening Test and that Graeme Cremer returns to the side. The same reports say Afghanistan have handed a debut to middle-order batter Rahmanullah.
Naqvi's selection follows strong performances in Zimbabwe's domestic circuit, where he has been a prolific run-scorer and a useful bowling option. Reports say he is set to play in the opening Test in Sharjah, the first of the two matches in the series.
Domestic record
Naqvi's first-class average stands at 60.35. First-class cricket is the longer format played at domestic level, and in 24 such matches he has scored six centuries and eight half-centuries and taken 62 wickets. In 2024 he became the first player to score a triple-century for any team in Zimbabwe's domestic cricket, with an unbeaten 300 for Mid West Rhinos against Matabeleland Tuskers in a Logan Cup match in Harare.
The series begins on Thursday, and it will show whether those domestic numbers carry over to Test cricket, the longest format of the game. Further team details, including the final playing eleven, will be known once the match starts.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Antum Naqvi Belgian-born hain lekin unka Pakistan se rishta hai, aur ab unhe ICC se Zimbabwe ke liye khelne ki ijazat mil gayi hai. Woh Afghanistan ke khilaf do Test ki series ke liye Zimbabwe ki squad mein shamil hain, jo Thursday ko Sharjah mein shuru hogi. Pakistan mein cricket ke shaukeen ke liye yeh ek Pakistan-origin khiladi ka international debut hai, jise aap live scores par follow kar sakte hain.
