Belgium-born Antum Naqvi set to make international debut for Zimbabwe

New Delhi, October 18 (IANS). Belgian-born right-handed batsman Antum Amir Naqvi is all set to make his international debut for Zimbabwe. He has been included in Zimbabwe’s 16-man squad for the upcoming one-off Test match against Afghanistan. Antum Naqvi, born on 5 April 1999 in Brussels, moved to Australia with his family at the age of just four. Here he obtained a commercial airline pilot’s license but had to leave this career to pursue a career in cricket. After this he came to Zimbabwe. Antum Naqvi recently qualified to represent Zimbabwe. Antum Naqvi played 19 first-class matches in his career, in which he scored 1,626 runs with the help of 6 centuries and 7 fifties. In January 2024, he became the first player for Zimbabwe to score a triple century at any level of representative cricket. In 22 List-A matches, Antum scored 1,286 runs at an average of 61.23. During this period he scored 6 centuries and 5 half centuries. At the same time, in 12 T20 matches, this batsman has scored 320 runs at an average of 40. In his most recent first-class match, Antum Naqvi, who plays for Zimbabwe A, scored 68 and 108 against MCC in Harare last week. Apart from Antum Naqvi, fast bowler Tinotenda Maphosa also got a chance. Maphosa played one ODI and 13 T20 matches for Zimbabwe. This player also has a chance to debut in Test. The command of this team is in the hands of Craig Erwin. Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza and Blessing Muzarabani will provide experience to the team. Left-arm fast bowler Richard Ngarava and all-rounder Brad Evans have returned to the Test squad. Sean Williams is believed to be out of the squad due to personal reasons. The one-off Test match between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will be played from October 20 to 24 in Harare. Zimbabwe’s squad for the Test match against Afghanistan: Craig Ervin (captain), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chiwanga, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Roy Kaiya, Tanunurwa Makoni, Wellington Masakadza, Tinotenda Maposa, Blessing Muzarabani, Antum Naqvi, Richard Ngarwa, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa. Tsiga, Brendan Taylor, Nick Welch. –IANS RSG/AS