3 teams that Afghanistan can defeat to win their first ever Test match

The International Cricket Council granted Test status to Afghanistan and Ireland in 2017. Both the teams made their debuts in 2018 and coincidentally, both of them lost their first Test. While Afghanistan slumped to a 2-day defeat against India, the Irishmen fought hard before handing over a victory to Pakistan.

Though Afghanistan failed to perform well in their first outing, there is always a scope for improvement. Just like their rise in the limited overs format, Afghanistan may soon rise to glory in the longest format of the game. Players like Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Shahzad, and skipper Asghar Afghan, would be keen to perform their best in the Test format.

With the Afghanistan team slated to get more opportunities in the test format, here are the 3 teams against whom they can register their first victory-

#1 West Indies

West Indies are struggling to find a perfect test XI

Despite overcoming Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe earlier in the season, the Windies slumped to embarrassing defeats against India in the recently concluded test series. The Caribbean batsmen showed no temperament and the Indian batsmen smashed their bowlers relentlessly. Even debutant Prithvi Shaw and lower order batsmen like Ravindra Jadeja scored centuries against a struggling Windies side.

Afghanistan have defeated the West Indies side in the T20 format besides defeating them in the ODI format. West Indies batsmen have struggled to tackle the Afghan spin attack comprising Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammed Nabi. If the two sides clash soon, the Blue Tigers have a strong chance to register their first ever Test victory. Also, the Test match will be played either in India (at Afghanistan’s adopted home) or in the West Indies, both locations known for having slow pitches, which would favour the Afghans.

#2 Zimbabwe

The Zimbabweans failed to qualify for the 2019 World Cup

A team which was known for its giant-killing attitude is now struggling to even field 11 proper players to play cricket. While Brendan Taylor has returned to play for his nation, they still do not have a decent record in Tests. The African nation can provide a tough fight to Afghanistan if the two teams battle in the longest format.

ICC should plan a Test series between the two teams as they could provide some thrilling Test matches along with improving their respective records. It has been a long time since Zimbabwe emerged victorious from a Test match and a series against Afghanistan may also provide the Asghar Afghan led side a golden opportunity to seal their first ever Test victory.

Zimbabwe is a side which has got weaker and weaker every year while Afghanistan is a unit which is getting stronger every day, which might provide the fans a mouth-watering battle.

#3 Ireland

Ireland nearly defeated Pakistan in their first test

Another team which made its Test debut in 2018, the Irishmen, put on a valiant performance against a superior Pakistan side. After a debacle in the first innings, Kevin O' Brien's century helped them make a comeback in the Test match. Pakistan escaped from embarrassment after they recovered from a top-order collapse in the second innings.

However, Ireland and Afghanistan would bring the best out of themselves if they go head-to-head in Test match cricket. Both the teams are looking for their first ever win in the 5-day format and a match between the two may even draw a good amount of viewers. A lot will depend on the playing conditions as Afghanistan may struggle to perform well in Irish conditions while the William Porterfield led unit may find it hard to tackle the spinners in Indian conditions.

Afghanistan had registered their first ever World Cup victory over a European side. Hence, it is possible that the Blue Tigers may defeat another European nation to register their first test victory.