New Zealand will look to take advantage of Afghanistan’s relative inexperience in red-ball cricket when the two teams face off in a one-off Test starting Monday, September 9.
The match will provide New Zealand an opportunity to build momentum ahead of their upcoming World Test Championship fixtures in the subcontinent.
Afghanistan, led by left-handed batter Hashmatullah Shahidi, will be without key spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, both sidelined with injuries.
New Zealand, captained by veteran fast bowler Tim Southee, will aim to exploit this absence and Afghanistan’s limited Test experience.
This match marks the first-ever Test encounter between the two nations.
The contest will run from September 9 to 13, after which Afghanistan will head to South Africa for a three-match ODI series starting on September 18.
Afghanistan has played seven Test matches to date, recording three wins and four losses.
