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After a crushing 232-run victory in the second ODI, Afghanistan are on the brink of sealing the series against Zimbabwe. With the first game abandoned due to rain, Zimbabwe must produce a massive turnaround in the third and final ODI to level the series. However, the clinical display by Afghanistan in all departments has left little doubt about their dominance. Can Zimbabwe salvage pride in this dead-rubber game?
Match Details
| Fixture | Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, 3rd ODI |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, December 21, 2024 |
| Time | 1:30 PM Local / 5:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Harare Sports Club, Harare |
Teams Preview
Zimbabwe Preview
Zimbabwe’s performance in the second ODI was nothing short of dismal. Being bowled out for 54 runs, they failed to provide any resistance to Afghanistan’s formidable bowling attack. If they are to bounce back, the experienced players like Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, and Sikandar Raza must step up.
Batting Concerns:
The batting lineup crumbled under pressure in the previous game. Ben Curran at the top failed to make an impact, while the middle order lacked resilience. Sikandar Raza’s 19 and Sean Williams’ 16 were the only double-digit scores. The team must focus on building partnerships to post a competitive total.
Bowling Options:
The bowling attack, led by Newman Nyamhuri and Richard Ngarava, failed to contain the Afghan batsmen. Nyamhuri’s 3/53 was a silver lining, but Zimbabwe’s bowlers must improve their economy and strike rates to challenge Afghanistan.
Key Players: Sikandar Raza, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams
Zimbabwe Predicted Playing XI:
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Ben Curran | Batter |
| Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk) | Batter |
| Dion Myers | Batter |
| Craig Ervine (c) | Batter |
| Sean Williams | All-rounder |
| Sikandar Raza | All-rounder |
| Brian Bennett | Bowler |
| Newman Nyamhuri | Bowler |
| Richard Ngarava | Bowler |
| Trevor Gwandu | Bowler |
| Tinotenda Maposa | Bowler |
Afghanistan Preview
Afghanistan are brimming with confidence after a dominant show in the second ODI. Their batting depth and bowling firepower make them the clear favorites to seal the series.
Batting Brilliance:
Sediqullah Atal’s century (104) and Abdul Malik’s 84 formed the backbone of Afghanistan’s 286/6 in the last game. The middle-order contributions from Hashmatullah Shahidi and Mohammad Nabi add further solidity to the lineup.
Bowling Mastery:
Afghanistan’s bowling attack proved unstoppable, rolling out Zimbabwe without even utilizing star spinner Rashid Khan. Allah Ghazanfar and Naveed Zadran shone with three wickets each, while Fazalhaq Farooqi provided early breakthroughs.
Key Players: Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rashid Khan
Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Sediqullah Atal | Batter |
| Abdul Malik | Batter |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | All-rounder |
| Rahmat Shah | Batter |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi (c) | Batter |
| Mohammad Nabi | All-rounder |
| Ikram Alikhil (wk) | Wicketkeeper |
| Rashid Khan | Bowler |
| AM Ghazanfar | Bowler |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Bowler |
| Naveed Zadran | Bowler |
Fantasy Team XI
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Captain | Rashid Khan |
| Vice-Captain | Sediqullah Atal |
| Batsmen | Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Craig Ervine |
| All-rounders | Mohammad Nabi, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams |
| Wicketkeeper | Ikram Alikhil |
| Bowlers | Fazalhaq Farooqi, AM Ghazanfar, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava |
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Pitch Report:
The Harare Sports Club pitch has offered some assistance to bowlers, with spinners getting extra turn and pacers finding movement early on. A score of 300 is par on this wicket, and teams batting first will aim for that benchmark.
Par Score: 300 runs
Weather Report:
Harare is expected to be sunny and warm, with temperatures peaking at 29°C. Cloudy spells may appear, but no rain is forecast, ensuring a full game.
Toss Prediction:
Both captains are likely to opt to bat first, given the advantage of setting a target on this track.
Winning Prediction
Zimbabwe have been completely outplayed so far in this series, and their batting vulnerabilities make it hard to see them challenging Afghanistan. The visitors, with their all-round strength and confidence, are favorites to win this match and secure the series.
Prediction: Afghanistan to win the 3rd ODI!
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