ZIM vs AFG 2022 | 1st ODI | Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, CREX XI

Zimbabwe and Afghanistan will clash in the 1st fixture of the 3-match ODI series on Saturday (June 4) at Harare Sports Club. 

In their last ODI series, Zimbabwe faced Sri Lanka and lost 1-2. The best batter for the team was Sean Williams, and Richard Ngarava was the pick of the bowlers. However, Williams is on compassionate leave, and Ngarava will be unavailable due to a lower back injury. 

However, Blessing Muzarabani's return will bolster the team's bowling attack. The likes of Wesley Madhevere and Sikandar Raza were the top performers for the team in the recently concluded T20I series against Namibia and will look to continue the same form. 

On the other hand, Afghanistan lost their last ODI series against Bangladesh played earlier this year. The team's top batter was Rahmat Shah, and Fazalhaq Farooqui returned with the most wickets. 

Gulbadin Naib has been dropped for this series due to his bad form. However, one of the finest spinners in the country, Zia-ur-Rahman Akbar, has finally earned his maiden national call-up. The players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rashid Khan will be the team's key players. 

Match Details

Match: Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, 1st ODI

Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare

Date & Time: June 4 at 12:45 PM IST 

Live Streaming: FanCode

Pitch Report: The last ODI played at this venue witnessed both the teams scoring around 300 runs, which depicts the stronghold of the batters. The bowlers with fine variations have more chances to succeed on this surface. The team chasing down the score will hold a minor edge in the game. 

Head-To-Head

Zimbabwe and Afghanistan have been up against each other on 25 occasions in the 50-over format. The Afghanistan team has an edge in these encounters with 15 wins. In the last fixture in 2018, Zimbabwe won by two runs. 

Squads

Zimbabwe:  Craig Ervine (c), Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Tanaka Chivanga, Luke Jongwe, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Clive Madande, Wesley Madhevere, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Ainsley Ndlovu, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Donald Tiripano

Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Azmatullah Omarzai, Farid Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Ibrahim Zadran, Ikram Alikhail (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rashid Khan, Riaz Hassan, Shahidullah Kamal, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia ur Rahman Akbar

Probable Playing XI

Zimbabwe: Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Dion Myers, Regis Chakabva (wk), Craig Ervine (c), Wessley Madhevere, Milton Shumba, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara, Luke Jongwe

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Yamin Ahmadzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi

CREX XI Suggestion 

Wicket-Keeper: Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Batters: Craig Ervine, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah, Milton Shumba

All-Rounders: Sikandar Raza, Wesley Madhevere

Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Blessing Muzarabani, Fazalhaq Farooqui

Captain: Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Vice-Captain: Rashid Khan