Rain has interrupted day one the historic New Year’s Test between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. Here are what the various weather forecasts say for the rest of the match.
In the series opener, Zimbabwe, playing their first Boxing Day Test at home in 28 years secured a draw in a high-scoring affair. Coincidentally, their last one was also a rain-affected draw, against England in Harare in 1996. In the last match, both teams racked up their highest scores in the format: Zimbabwe scored 586, while Afghanistan notched up 699. Apart from that, several individual records were also broken.
On the final day, Zimbabwe suffered a collapse of 4-15 in the second innings and were still 25 runs behind Afghanistan, who took a 113-run lead in the first. However, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine wiped out the deficit, ensuring no further damage to end the game in a draw.
With the series tied, the second Test is Zimbabwe’s first New Year’s Test ever. The visitors won the preceding T20I series by 2-1 and ODIs by 2-0.
There have been reports that India will drop Rishabh Pant for the SCG Test.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) January 2, 2025
If it happens, it won't be the first time an India superstar will have been dropped for what was perceived to be a rash shot, explains @ovshake42.#AUSvINDhttps://t.co/wq2b5BYfUp
Weather predictions for ZIM vs AFG New Year's Test
According to Google Weather, significant chances of rain are predicted throughout the Test match. There is 66 per cent of rain on the opening day, the least among the five days.
Accuweather's forecast is no different, with the probability of precipitation as high as 94 per cent on day two.
Weather.com has issued a warning for "Heavy downpours, frequent lightning with storms" on the opening day. The predictions are gloomier with the chance of precipitation remaining around 80 per cent for all five days.
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