Zimbabwe will lock horns with Afghanistan in the 2nd fixture of the 3-match ODI series on Monday (June 6) at Harare Sports Club.
In the 1st ODI, Zimbabwe invited the visitors to bat first. Unfortunately, the openers Ibrahim Zadran (5) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (17) were dismissed early. However, Rahmat Shah's (94) fighting knocks and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (88) laid a robust platform, while Rashid Khan provided an excellent finish with 39* off 17 to help the team post 276. Blessing Muzarabani was the pick of the bowlers, who finished with figures of 4/52.
In the second half, Innocent Kaia (39) and Sikandar Raza (67) were the notable contributors to the home team, as they lost by 60 runs. Mohammad Nabi picked four wickets to help Afghanistan go 1-0 up in the series and cement their place in the 3rd spot on Cricket World Cup Super League (CWCSL) table.
Zimbabwe would have to work hard in this fixture to save this series and remain in the hunt for finishing in the top eight places of CWCSL. Dion Myers is expected to feature in the Playing XI for this game.
On the other hand, Afghanistan will not look to tinker with the winning combination and rather focus on continuing their fine performances in both departments.
Match Details
Match: Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, 2nd ODI
Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
Date & Time: June 6 at 12:45 PM IST
Live Streaming: FanCode
Pitch Report: It is a belter of a surface at this venue in the white-ball cricket, and the scores of 250+ have been readily posted. As the game progresses, the spinners are likely to get help from the surface. It will be a batting friendly surface throughout the course of the match.
Head-To-Head
Total Matches: 26
Zimbabwe Won: 10
Afghanistan Won: 16
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, Najibullah Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rashid Khan, Riaz Hassan, Shahidullah Kamal, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia ur Rahman Akbar
Probable Playing XI
Zimbabwe: Regis Chakabva (wk), Innocent Kaia, Craig Ervine (c), Wesley Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Donald Tiripano, Tendai Chatara, Tanaka Chivanga, Blessing Muzarabani
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik
CREX XI Suggestion
Wicket-Keeper: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Batters: Craig Ervine, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah, Milton Shumba
All-Rounders: Sikandar Raza, Wesley Madhevere, Mohammad Nabi
Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Fazalhaq Farooqui
Captain: Rahmat Shah
Vice-Captain: Rashid Khan