AFG vs ZIM 3rd T20I Preview: Can The Chevrons End This Series On A Small High-Note With One Win or Afganisthan Get Sweep To Make Cricket World Proud Again?
As the third T20I is just a couple days away, it will be interesting to see if this series ends up being a white-wash or Zimbabwe can end with a victory. Looking at their side, this has been a very disappointing series to say the least, since they seem to be outclassed in just about every way. Even though they will continue being without Sean Williams or Craig Ervine, it will be vital to see what changes they make and if those have an impact on this side’s future plans with their return to the World Cup approaching. Seeing that captain Sikandar Raza has still be leading this side extremely well at this age, it is a real sign that he has no hopes of slowing down and should continue further along.
For Afghanistan, they have definitely got their mojo back and look more than stronger after having one of the rougher Asia Cup appearances. A side known to create shockers like they have done in the past, winning all three matches in a row here could help them gain confidence to create a few more later on this year. Given that it may be a little while till they get both Naveen Ul-Haq and Fazal-Haq Farooqi back, this side has done wonders without them and shown their immense bowling depth. Captain Rashid Khan continues being one of the most influential figures for this side and will keep being their vital leader for the foreseeable future.
Afghanistan’s Batting Attack Has Shown A Lot Of Emergence In These Matches
Looking at Afghanistan’s ability with the bat, it has been a huge key to success for them so far, and it looks like they are back to their old form. With Ibrahim Zadran, 1,498 runs in 57 matches, looking more than back, he has had quite a few good knocks in this series to help his average jump to 29.96. Now, having hit 12 half-centuries in this format, he will continue being a vital piece for this unit with Rahmanullah Gurbaz nearing 2,000 runs on the other end. Seeing that he’s the big piece back to his normal self as well, this is someone whose score 50+ scores 11 times in his career so far during just 79 matches. Having a strike rate around 133, it will be important for him to keep it up because Zadran tends to bat at a little lower rate.
Although Sediquallah Atal has gone through a rough patch recently, he is still among the least experienced in this group and should build on his three half-centuries. Having someone like Azmatullah Omarzai at two-down not only provides balance, but it also gives this side an option that can go big early on. With Mohammed Nabi, 2416 runs, being the oldest amongst this group, he remains vital with his role as someone who can finish of innings and also create big partnerships with Omarzai. Knowing that Rashid Khan is there to come after that, along with Shahidullah, this bottom order can wreak a lot of havoc down the line in death overs.
Afghanistan Have Tons Of Spinning And Pace Options To Get The Job Done
On the bowling attack, there are many vital pieces this group has in order to put them ahead of the line. With Rashid Khan leading the spin department, this is the all-time wicket taker in T20Is with over 180, and will continue building on his record. Knowing that many people try replicating his game and love his ability to create turn on the ball, he’s always been a key piece in getting low economies as well. Having someone like Mujeeb Ur-Rahman near him, this is another key piece that has made his mark as a threat to many batsmen. Taking 75 wickets during his early career, he allows a little less than 6 runs an over and has a similar in-swinging ability to Rashid.
With Abdollah Ahmadzai taking over as the main pacer in this unit, he has been fantastic so far, with two wickets taken during his last match. Although his economy has been a little high at around 8.00, this is someone who’s more of a pure wicket-taker and gotten 6 batsmen out in his first 5 matches. As Fareed Ahmed is the much more experienced piece that has played 37 matches and gotten 45 wickets, both of them have created a great combination that’s helped build up this squad. Closing it out, Azmatullah Omarzai will be a part-time bowler who has continued picking up key wickets, while keeping his runs per over low in limited ones.
Zimbabwe Are Looking To Breakout Out Of Their Batting Slump
This Zimbabwe side is looking to finally get rid of the current batting issues they have and focus on extending their ability to play like they did during the African Qualifiers play. Opening Brian Bennett has struggled to find any form in this series and still can’t seem to get past that 10th half-century he’s been trying to reach for a while. A right-handed piece that has shown great ability against top teams in the past, they will need that once again, so his average doesn’t drop much either. On the other end, Tadiwanashe Murmani is looking to make his comeback from the left end, as he was rested last match for Dion Myers, who has proved to be very inconsistent at any position.
For Murumani, his game is a mix of great big shots and always hitting on the ground, while this is someone who’s quite quick between wickets. At one down, Brendan Taylor is another guy who has had a very tough series and has been stuck around 1130 runs during the last two matches. Hitting just four during his last two innings, him getting great touch will be vital for Sikandar Raza, who’s been the only bright spot. Someone who’s closing in on 3,000 T20I runs at that two-down position, he will be important in the middle, while Tashinga Musekiwa has found a way to score a couple of boundaries in every match. With Tony Munyonga and Brad Evans closing things out, Zimbabwe should get runs on the board.
Bowling Attack For This Zimbabwe Side Will Continue Being A Huge Positive
Meanwhile, looking at their bowling attack, Zimbabwe definitely has one that could stay up there with some of the top units. As Blessing Muzarabani returns into the attack, he will be big-time since he’s only 7 wickets away from hitting 100 and has that ability to bowl tall bouncers, which are impossible for most batsmen to hit. Having Richard Ngarva from the left side, who has crossed that century mark in wickets, he continues being very important in creating a low economy too. With Tinotenda Maposa slightly struggling to find the right balance during this series, there will be more Brad Evans action in this match, while Sikandar Raza will look close to hitting his century mark, too.
Previous Matches
Matches Played: 20
Zimbabwe Won: 2
Afganisthan Won: 18
Match Prediction
Afganisthan Bat 1st: They will score 170 to 180 runs for 7 wickets lost
Zimbabwe Bat 1st: They will score 165 to 170 runs for 8 wickets lost
Afganisthan Bat 2nd: They will win by 5 to 6 wickets
Zimbabwe Bat 2nd: They will lose by 15 to 20 runs
Final Prediction: Afghanistan will win by 15 to 20 runs if batting first, and 5 to 6 wickets if batting second
Key Players
Afganisthan
Rashid Khan: World’s best spinner who continues bowling amazing in-swingers and getting many wickets
Rahmunullah Gurbaz: Opener who has scored nearly 2,000 runs and looks in form again
Ibrahim Zadran: Great piece who continues building strong innings throughout his career
Mujeeb Ur-Rahman: Key spinner who has turned into a big-time economy threat
Zimbabwe
Blessing Muzarabani: Top pacer who has created great bouncers and stayed consistent with pace
Richard Ngarva: Great wicket-taker who continues finding ways to get big batsmen out and is important as a lefty
Brian Bennett: Amazing opening batsmen looking to make his mark in this series
Sikandar Raza: Great captain and leader that has led some amazing comebacks
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