Afghanistan favored as slow Sharjah pitch favors spinners

The first Test between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe takes place Thursday at Sharjah, where both sides are outside the World Test Championship. Brian Bennett captains a Zimbabwe side that includes returning Graeme Cremer and debutant Antum Naqvi, while Rashid Khan is absent from an Afghan team led by Rahmat Shah. Although Zimbabwe have won their last two Tests, Afghanistan look slightly more likely to win due to Sharjah's slow surface and hot conditions favoring spinners.