ZIM vs AFG 1st T20I Match Preview: Can The Chevrons Continue Building Off Their Recent Successes?
Going into the first T20I between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, this match features two sides that have been on very different recent trends in this format recently. As the Chevrons continue piling up wins and have officially just qualified for the World Cup, it feels like their confidence has increased by a ton when needing to be in must-win situations. A group that originally was struggling in the summer to get anything right going, things have slowly turned, and it seems as if this side is ready to create some amazing upsets once again. Led by captain Sikandar Raza, his ability to motivate this side and play at an all-time high level himself will help them really succeed throughout.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan has faced recent struggles after losing a series to Bangladesh and failing to qualify for the super four of this year’s Asia Cup. One group that was on the rise just a year ago, after making it to the semi-finals, has seen its fortunes completely tumble down as this side continues to struggle to make a mark. With a lot of their 2nd-tier pieces playing, it will be quite interesting to see if they can gain any vital experience and help this unit finally get back on track. Knowing that Rashid Khan is coming back to lead this side, his captaincy will be something everyone looks up to, as his prowess is one of the reasons for this side’s immense growth.
Zimbabwe Batting Unit Provides A Lot of Talent And Opportunity For This Side
Looking at the Chevrons’ batting attack, it’s clear that their side will have a ton of opportunities to show full potential as their depth just keeps getting bigger. Opener Brian Bennett is on to a very historic start towards his career as he’s already scored 1,368 runs in 45 innings. Keeping an average over 30 and seeming not to be impacted by the quality of bowling, this is someone who will always show off their best performance in every single match. Knowing that his running between the wickets is excellent as well, their opener on the other side is Tadiwanashe Murumani, who continues being phenomenal after picking it up in their recent series against Namibia.
Playing very aggressively and also having a controlled approach, this is someone who just recently crossed 1,000 runs and has added quite a few half-centuries in his recent innings. Coming in at one-down, Brendan Taylor will be a big-time option as he continues showing why he’s such a successful all-format player. Getting near a 27 average, this is someone who can smack 30-40 runs continuously and will let Sikandar Raza, 2,653 runs, play his game at two-down. With Tashinga Musekiwa having been a great closer for this side with his brute strength, alongside Tony Munyonga, their anticipation for the return of Graeme Cremer will impact this lineup as well.
Zimbabwe Have A Bowling Attack That Will Be Featured Heavily Throughout The Match
On Zimbabwe’s bowling side, it is clear that this is one unit which keeps on being successful and growing as matches go on. With Blessing Muzarabani, 91 wickets in 82 T20Is, being their major fast-bowler from the right end, his bouncer ability keeps on being something that is talked about. Closing in on a record that only Richard Ngarva holds, this is someone who continues having a unique action which has given many batsmen a hard to time to attack him. Now talking about Ngarva, specifically, he will be their main left-handed piece, and shows why true pace counts for this group. Already reaching 103 wickets in his short career, his consistency on deliveries has been stellar and something to really forward to.
With Tinotenda Maposa being their big-time medium pacer, he’s taken 12 wickets in just 13 matches, but that economy going down has been the biggest part of his game. Someone who has built off allowing less batsmen to complete take him on, his growth is something that will make this unit lethal. With Brad Evans already collecting 24 wickets as well during this period, it’s made this bowling attack something that is very deep with spinners not even being mentioned. When we talk about their spinning options, the two names that come to mind are Sikandar Raza, another piece closing in on 100 T20I wickets, and Graeme Cremer, whose making his return after several years.
Afganisthan Batsmen Look To Get Back On Track After Heavy Recent Struggles
For Afghanistan, this match is all about getting their batsmen back into form and finding that right order, which they have seemed to struggle to find in recent times. With Ibrahim Zadran being one of their openers, his career has gotten off to a very fast start as the 23-year-old is already near 1,500 runs and hit 10 half-centuries. Making sure his average is up there too, he is one piece that hasn’t been part of the recent struggles, but in fact a guy that they should rely more on. Looking on the other side, Gurbaz needs to get back into good touch as he’s scoring less than 25 runs a match now and looked completely outmatched by various bowlers during recent times.
Someone who had a very fast rise a couple months back, he needs to get back into that similar stage, as his game keeps on falling and he’s been stuck at 7 half-centuries for a while. One down, Sediqullah Atal should start providing sparks for this unit as he’s a very young batsman, who just struggles with inconsistencies. When he’s in form, his wicket is impossible to remove, but he needs to show that skill much more down the line. With Mohammed Nabi being a very experienced player in that middle-order, him and Omarzai will have to connect well to create higher scores before captain Rashid Khan comes in to play his usual cameo that could help them finish at a pretty high score.
Afganisthan Spinners and Pacers Should Have Their Way On These Grounds
Looking at their bowling attack, this is a vital bunch that should keep on dominating throughout this match. With Rashid Khan currently leading all T20I bowlers in all-time wickets, he is a legendary bowler that most newcoming spinners follow these days, and has always shown to go for less runs. Despite having a back injury that kind of limited him earlier on, things have slowly changed as this guy looks much more healthier and should make a great combination with spinner Noor Ahmad. As Mujeeb could be another big-time option, their pace options include Fareed Ahmed, 44 wickets in 35 matches, and Abdollah Ahmadzai from either end.
Previous Matches
Matches Played: 18
Afganisthan Won: 16
Zimbabwe Won: 2
Match Prediction
Afganisthan Bat 1st: They will score 165 to 170 runs for the loss of 6 wickets
Zimbabwe Bat 1st: They will score 150 to 155 for the loss of 8 wickets
Afganisthan Bat 2nd: They will lose by 10 to 15 runs
Zimbabwe Bat 2nd: They will lose by 5 to 10 runs
Final Prediction: Whichever side bats 2nd in this match will end up losing, while the one that bats first will end up winning
Key Players
Afganisthan
Rashid Khan: Captain and one of the best spinners ever who continues defying all odds
Rahmunullah Gurbaz: Opener who creates a lot of run-scoring opportunties and is quite quick between wickets
Mohammed Nabi: Middle-order piece that has blasted a lot of shots out of the ground
Ibrahim Zadran: Their other opener who seems to be in great touch and only top-order piece in form
Zimbabwe
Blessing Muzarabani: Major pace option from the right-end that can bowl with terrific height
Tadiwanashe Murmani: New left-handed opening piece that tends to play aggressively and controlled
Brian Bennett: Opener who is currently in top form after building his case with consistency
Richard Ngarva: Left-handed pace option who is a great wicket-taker and should be dominant throughout
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