ZIM vs AFG 1st T20I: Harare Sports Club Pitch Report

Harare Sports Club [Source: @Merovaeous/X]

On Wednesday, Zimbabwe will take on Afghanistan in the first T20I of the upcoming three-match home series. The highly-anticipated clash is scheduled at the Harare Sports Club in Harare, Zimbabwe. 

Led by Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe recently showed guts to stun Pakistan, securing a nail-biting two-wicket win in Bulawayo. Apart from the skipper, the senior pros, particularly Wesley Madhevere, Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava, will play key roles for the home team. 

Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be captained by spin maestro Rashid Khan, with the likes of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi and Fazalhaq Farooqi forming the visitors' core. The eyes will also be on Noor Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai, as they are integral members of the visiting side. 

As the stage is set for a riveting contest, let's see how the surface at Harare Sports Club will behave throughout the contest. 

Harare Sports Club Records And Stats In T20s

Harare Sports Club Pitch Report: Is It Batting Or Bowling Friendly?

The surface at Harare Sports Club in Harare will be slightly on the drier side. There won't likely be significant seam movement for the new ball bowlers; however, the track's uneven bounce might pose certain challenges for the batters. The fast bowlers will benefit from hitting the hard length instead of pitching it up at this venue. 

So, the batters should take some time to get set and try to bat sensibly. It's not a venue where they can fearlessly play their shots and get away with the miscues. 

Meanwhile, the spinners generally play a vital role in Harare, particularly in the afternoon matches. So, the conditions will likely be more favourable for Afghanistan, as they have a lethal spin bowling unit. 

Run-scoring might get difficult as the game progresses in Harare. Also, given that the teams batting first have won 33 T20 games as compared to only 21 by the chasing sides, the toss-winner will likely bat first. 

Players To Watch Out For At Harare Sports Club

Rashid Khan

• Rashid Khan is Afghanistan's lead spinner and can capitalise on Harare's playing conditions. Also, considering Zimbabwe's middle order is vulnerable to spin bowling, Rashid Khan might emerge as Afghanistan's match-winner in the 1st T20I. 

Sikandar Raza

• Zimbabwe's premier batting all-rounder Sikandar Raza will be the hosts' most valuable player in the series. Besides scoring valuable runs down the order, Raza's ability to chip in with four overs of useful spin bowling makes him a game-changer in Harare. 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz

• Afghanistan's premier batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz can exploit the field restrictions in the powerplay. 
• The swashbuckling keeper-batter will bat against the hard new ball, and given that the track won't likely offer significant lateral movement to the pacers, Gurbaz can be Afghanistan's match-winner if he sees through the first couple of overs from Muzarabani and Ngarava. 

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