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Afghanistan will tour Zimbabwe for a full series of 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs, and a Test match. The action kicks off with the first T20I at the Harare Sports Club, where Afghanistan’s dominance in the shortest format against Zimbabwe will be a major talking point.
With an incredible head-to-head record of 14 wins in 15 games, Afghanistan are the clear favorites. Zimbabwe, coming off a T20I series loss to Pakistan, will need to punch above their weight to trouble a well-rounded Afghan side.
Teams Preview
Zimbabwe Preview
Zimbabwe’s recent performances in T20 cricket have been inconsistent. Their batting lineup struggled against Pakistan, managing only 108 and 57 runs in two games. They found some form in the last game, successfully chasing 133 runs.
- Key Batters:
- Brian Bennett showed promise with a steady performance in the final T20I against Pakistan.
- Sikandar Raza, the skipper, remains Zimbabwe’s most dependable player with both bat and ball.
- Ryan Burl, an experienced campaigner, adds depth and firepower to the middle order.
- Bowling Attack:
- Blessing Muzarabani and Wellington Masakadza will lead the pace and spin departments, respectively.
- Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl, as all-rounders, will play crucial roles with the ball.
Zimbabwe needs more contributions from the top order, particularly Tadiwanashe Marumani and Dion Myers, to set competitive totals against a strong Afghan bowling attack.
Predicted Playing XI:
Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tinotenda Maposa
Afghanistan Preview
Afghanistan are in red-hot form, having reached the T20 World Cup semifinals and winning two ODI series since. They are bringing their full-strength squad to Zimbabwe, led by spin wizard Rashid Khan.
- Key Batters:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz, known for his aggressive starts, is Afghanistan’s key batter at the top.
- Hazratullah Zazai complements Gurbaz with his big-hitting ability.
- The middle order is bolstered by experienced all-rounders Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib, who can steady the innings or finish with fireworks.
- Bowling Strength:
- Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad form one of the most lethal spin trios in the game.
- In the pace department, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen ul Haq bring control and penetration with the new ball.
- Azmatullah Omarzai adds balance with his all-round skills.
Afghanistan’s strength lies in their ability to dominate both in powerplay overs and the middle phase with spin.
Predicted Playing XI:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Naveen ul Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Pitch Report
The Harare Sports Club offers a balanced surface, providing assistance to both batters and bowlers. While fast bowlers may find some early movement, spinners come into play as the match progresses.
- Average 1st Innings Score: 160 runs
- Chasing Record: Teams batting first have won 33 out of 55 matches here. A score of 165+ will be competitive.
Weather Forecast
The weather is expected to be clear and sunny with a high of 32°C. Conditions should favor the batters early on, but bowlers will come into play as the pitch slows down.
Toss Prediction
Toss: To Bat
Teams batting first tend to have the upper hand at this venue. Afghanistan, with their potent bowling attack, will look to set a target and defend it successfully.
Winning Prediction
Zimbabwe will rely heavily on individual performances from Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl. However, their lack of depth and consistency across departments puts them at a disadvantage against a formidable Afghan side. Afghanistan, with a balanced squad and excellent record against Zimbabwe, start as clear favorites.
Prediction: Afghanistan to win
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