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The second T20I between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan is set to take place at the Harare Sports Club, Harare, on Friday. Zimbabwe, buoyed by a thrilling four-wicket victory in the series opener, will look to seal the series, while Afghanistan aims to bounce back and level the contest. Here’s our detailed Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe prediction, covering team previews, fantasy picks, and match insights.
Team Previews
Zimbabwe Preview
Zimbabwe delivered a well-rounded performance in the first game. With the bat, Brian Bennett anchored the innings with a composed 49, supported by Dion Myers and Tashinga Musekiwa. The bowlers were equally impressive, led by Richard Ngarava, who claimed 3/28, and contributions from the rest of the attack ensured Afghanistan was restricted to a manageable total.
Zimbabwe will depend on skipper Sikandar Raza and the likes of Ryan Burl, Dion Myers, and Wesley Madhevere to deliver with the bat. The bowling unit, spearheaded by Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani, will aim to maintain their disciplined approach.
Predicted Playing XI:
Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Wesley Madhevere, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Wellington Masakadza, Tashinga Musekiwa, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu
Afghanistan Preview
Afghanistan struggled to build momentum in the first game, with only Karim Janat and Mohammad Nabi putting up a fight, scoring 54 and 44 runs, respectively. Their top order failed to capitalize, which put pressure on the middle order. The bowlers, led by Naveen-ul-Haq and Rashid Khan, showed sparks but lacked consistent breakthroughs.
To bounce back, the visitors need their explosive top order, including Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai, to fire. Bowlers like Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman must find ways to contain Zimbabwe’s batters.
Predicted Playing XI:
Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sediqullah Atal, Hazratullah Zazai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fareed Ahmad Malik
Pitch and Weather Report
Pitch Report
The Harare Sports Club offers a balanced pitch, with some assistance for bowlers early on. However, as the game progresses, the surface becomes better for batting, making chasing a viable option.
- Average 1st Innings Score: 153
- Highest Total at Venue: 234 by India against Zimbabwe
- Chasing Advantage: 7 of the last 11 matches have been won by chasing teams.
Weather Forecast
- Temperature: 21°C to 35°C
- Conditions: Sunny intervals with light winds and a slight chance of rain later in the day.
Fantasy Team XI
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Brian Bennett (C) | Batter |
| Karim Janat (VC) | Batter/All-rounder |
| Dion Myers | Batter |
| Sikandar Raza | Batter/All-rounder |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Batter/Wicketkeeper |
| Mohammad Nabi | All-rounder |
| Richard Ngarava | Bowler |
| Rashid Khan | Bowler |
| Blessing Muzarabani | Bowler |
| Naveen-ul-Haq | Bowler |
| Ryan Burl | All-rounder |
Winning Prediction
Zimbabwe holds the momentum after a strong performance in the first game. Their bowlers have been on point, and the batting unit showed grit under pressure. Afghanistan will need significant improvements in their top order and bowling execution to challenge the home team.
Prediction: Zimbabwe to win
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