Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, ZIM vs AFG, Today Match Prediction 12 June 2022

zim vs afg Match Prediction & Analysis

Not a start the hosts would have hoped for given the whitewash in the 3-Match ODI series, but it was the usual business for Afghanistan as they thrashed Zimbabwe in the 1st T20 International. Wesley Madhevere and Sikandar Raza anchored the Zimbabwe innings to 159-8. Rashid Khan did what Rashid Khan does, choking the team for runs and picking up the wicket of Wesley Madhevere. He was well supported by Fazalhaq Farooqi, but the star of the Afghanistan bowling was Niajat Massod, who picked up 3 very crucial wickets, breaking the back of the Zimbabwe Middle order.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz & Hazratullah Zazai were cruising until the 11th over, they went from 83-0 to 86-3 courtesy of Ryan Burl who made it a serious game out of the contest. Afghanistan looked in serious trouble until Najibullah Zadran & Mohammad Nabi finished the game in breathtaking fashion. Zadran scored a match-winning 44 of 25 balls, and Nabi’s 15 of 8 balls came in handy, as Afghanistan continued their unbeaten run on Zimbabwe Soil. Afghanistan will look to put in a solid performance and seal off the series with a win in the 2nd T20i.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Zimbabwe Preview

After the whitewash in the ODI series, Zimbabwe would be very disappointed to not have won the 1st T20I, especially after pushing Afghanistan’s back on the wall. A Lot of positives for Zimbabwe to take from the game and a lot of room to improve going into the next 2 T20Is.

Wesley Madhevere and Sikandar Raza, looked solid as they anchored the batting for Zimbabwe but a lot more will be expected from Captain Craig Ervine and Innocent Kaia, if they need a result to go their way in the next 2 matches. The bowling was impressive, as Ryan Burl almost pulled a rabbit out of the hat but, Blessing Muzarabani and Luke Jongwe can hopefully improve on their performances.

Key Players: Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Wesley Madhevere & Tendai Chatara.

Zimbabwe Predicted Playing XI:

Wesley Madhevere, Innocent Kaia, Craig Ervine(c), Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Regis Chakabva(w), Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani

Zimbabwe Actual Playing XI:

Ainsley Ndlovu, Craig Ervine, Regis Chakabva, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Innocent Kaia, Wesley Madhevere, Donald Tiripano, Tendai Chatara, Sikandar Raza, Luke Jongwe

Afghanistan Preview

A usual day at the office for Afghanistan, as per the scorecard but it wasn’t as easy as it seemed. The bowlers were at their usual best as they have been throughout the series.

Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Nijat Masood were mighty impressive in restricting the hosts. The openers, especially Rahmanullah Gurbaz, was very impressive, Najibullah Zadran finished the game brilliantly but Afghanistan will want a contribution from Usman Ghani who fell cheaply in the 1st T20I. Afghanistan will look to seal the series and also continue their winning run in the 2nd T20I.

Key Players: Rashid Khan, Najibullah Zadran, Ramanullah Gurbaz & Mohammad Nabi

Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Hazratullah Zazai, Usman Ghani, Darwish Rasooli, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Karim Janat, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Nijat Masood

Afghanistan Actual Playing XI:

Karim Janat, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Usman Ghani, Hazratullah Zazai, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Darwish Rasooli, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Nijat Masood, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The weather will be partly cloudy on match day, with a 1-3% chance of raining on match day. The maximum and minimum temperatures will be in the 21°C - 7°C range.

Venue Details

The Harare Sports Club in Harare will host this match. This ground is considered a home ground of Zimbabwe and has conducted a few international as well as local domestic games previously. This stadium can accommodate a total of 10,000 people.

Toss: To Bowl

Continuing the norm of the series, the team chasing has won the game. It should not be different going into this game as well. The team winning the toss should bowl first here.