Newcomer Ben Curran Joins Zimbabwe Squad for Afghanistan Series

Zimbabwe's cricket team has made two key changes to its squad ahead of their upcoming series against Afghanistan, selecting 28-year-old Ben Curran and 18-year-old Newman Nyamhuri to join the team. The duo replaces Faraz Akram, Brandon Mavuta, and Clive Madande, who has been ruled out due to injury. The updated squad includes 28-year-old Ben Curran, a left-arm seamer and left-handed batter who has been in impressive form, and 18-year-old Newman Nyamhuri, a left-arm pacer who impressed at the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, taking the most wickets for Zimbabwe.

Ben Curran, the brother of England internationals Sam and Tom Curran, has led the runs scored in Zimbabwe's 50-over competition with an average of 64.50 and tops the charts in the red-ball competition with an average of 74.14. His impressive form has earned him a maiden call-up to the ODI squad, where he joins a 15-man squad that will face Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series from December 11-14, followed by three ODIs on December 17, 19, and 21. Curran, who represented Northamptonshire until 2022, has been impressing in List A competition and first-class cricket, making him a valuable addition to the Zimbabwean team.

The Zimbabwean team, currently training at their Harare Base, is gearing up to face Afghanistan in two international matches on December 11. The series will then move to a three-match ODI series on December 17, where Zimbabwe will be looking to bounce back from their recent losses against Pakistan, who they lost the series to last month. The return of bowler Faraz Akram and the debut of Wayne Muskwe in opening position adds a boost to the team, but concerns remain about the ODI record. Despite winning the first ODI against Pakistan, Zimbabwe's ODI record this year has not been impressive.

With two new avengers added to the team, Zimbabwe will have high hopes from the upcoming series against Afghanistan. With Ben Curran's impressive batting skills and Newman Nyamhuri's pace bowling skills, the team is looking forward to a chance to redeem themselves and win at least one series against Afghanistan. A victory would be a significant boost for Zimbabwean cricket ahead of a busy schedule in 2024.