ZIM vs AFG 2nd T20I Preview: Key Players And Stats, Live Streaming, Pitch Report, Probable XIs

ZIM vs AFG 2nd T20I Preview [Source: @ZimCricketv/x.com]

The Harare Sports Club is all set to host another cracker as Zimbabwe and Afghanistan face off in the second T20I on Friday, December 13. The hosts stunned Afghanistan with a thrilling last-ball win in the first game, and now they’re eyeing a series-clinching victory whereas Afghanistan will be itching to level things and keep the series alive.

ZIM vs AFG 2nd T20I: Match Details And Live Streaming

ZIM vs AFG 2nd T20I Preview: Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe played like a team with nothing to lose and everything to prove in the first match. After being asked to bowl, their bowlers put up a stellar show, restricting Afghanistan to just 144/6. Richard Ngarava was the pick of the lot, bagging three crucial wickets for just 28 runs. Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu, and Wellington Masakadza chipped in with one each, while captain Sikandar Raza kept things tight, even if he didn’t get a wicket.

When it came to the chase, Zimbabwe had a few wobbles. Brian Bennett anchored the innings with a composed 49 off 49 balls, while Dion Myers added a useful 32. But the middle order faltered, leaving Tashinge Musekiwa and Masakadza to seal the deal on the very last ball. A cool-headed single from Musekiwa gave Zimbabwe a win to remember, and they’ll now be looking to close out the series in style.

ZIM vs AFG 2nd T20I Preview: Afghanistan

Afghanistan will be kicking themselves after letting the first game slip. Their openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal, fell cheaply, leaving the team in trouble early on. Hazratullah Zazai tried to steady the ship but couldn’t go past 20. It was left to Karim Janat, with an unbeaten 54 off 49, and Mohammad Nabi, who smashed 44 off 27, to give the innings some respectability.

The bowlers had their moments, too. Naveen-ul-Haq took 3/33, but his chaotic 13-ball over, which included six wides and a no-ball, ended up costing Afghanistan dearly. Rashid Khan was his usual brilliant self, picking 2/26, while Nabi added one to his tally. But defending 144 was always going to be a tough ask. They will now look to bounced back and even the scoreline.

---

ALSO READ

Where To Watch AFG vs ZIM 1st T20I? Channel, Live Streaming, Date And Time

---

ZIM vs AFG 2nd T20I Pitch Report: How Will Harare Surface Behave?

The pitch at the Harare Sports Club is usually a batter’s dream. The average first-innings score here is around 160, and teams batting first tend to have the upper hand as the surface slows down later. Despite Zimbabwe’s successful chase in the first game, the captain winning the toss might want to bat first and put up a strong total.

ZIM vs AFG 2nd T20I: Key Players And Stats

• Tadiwanashe Marumani: 316 runs in the last 10 matches, Average: 35.11, SR: 185.88
• Brian Bennett: 314 runs in the last 10 matches, Average: 31.4, SR: 155.44
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz: 287 runs in the last 10 matches, Average: 28.7, SR: 122.12
• Azmatullah Omarzai: 127 runs in the last 10 matches, Average: 12.7, SR: 105.83
• Richard Ngarava: 15 wickets in the last 10 matches, ER: 6.06
• Sikandar Raza: 12 wickets in the last 9 matches, ER: 5.45
• Naveen-ul-Haq: 19 wickets in the last 10 matches, ER: 6.15
• Fazalhaq Farooqi: 18 wickets in the last 9 matches, ER: 6.32

ZIM vs AFG 2nd T20I: Probable Playing XIs

Zimbabwe Probable XI: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu

Afghanistan Probable XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

ZIM vs AFG 1st T20I: Winner Prediction

Despite losing the last match, Afghanistan start as favourites to win this clash considering their overall team composition and recent form.

---

ALSO READ

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

---