AFG v ZIM, 2nd ODI Preview: Ruthless Afghanistan aim to continue the momentum

Whilst the assault on Zimbabwe was horrendous and surgical, take nothing away from Afghanistan who were in a demolition mood last Thursday. They indeed are taking giant strides in International cricket and the first ODI was such a good example of it. They outplayed the Zimbabweans with the bat and ball effortlessly.

Zimbabwe is a much better side on paper than in reality. They have a bunch of serious talents, all of them lack confidence very badly right now. The likes of Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza have been around for a long time now and their side needs them to take the onus in these tedious hours.

Rahmat Shah and Najibullah Zadran lit Sharjah on fire with their strokeplay and Rashid Khan returned with a 4-fer. Despite all their astounding success, it is important they stay grounded till the series is over and keep their standards as high as they are right now. Zimbabwe will once again have a hard evening on the field, given they continue to perform so monotonously.

Playing Combinations

Afghanistan

Asghar Stanikzai might go in with the same XI for the second ODI. Mohammad Shahzad and Ihsanullah Rahmat will open the batting and Rahmat Shah walks in at three. Their middle order looks rock solid with the likes of skipper Stanikzai, Najibullah Zadran, Nasir Jamal, and their stalwart, Mohammad Nabi.

As many as seven members rolled their arm in the previous game and all of them returned with a minimum of one wicket. Rashid was the pick with figures of 4/26, but the flexibility Stanikzai has with his bowling options is quite a blessing. Mujeeb Zadran and Mohammad Nabi will be assisting Rashid whilst Dawlat Zadran and Gulbadin Naib are the two pacers for the game.

Probable XI: Asghar Stanikzai (C), Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Dawlat Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Najibullah Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Nasir Jamal, Ihsanullah Janat, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Zadran

Zimbabwe

Graeme Cremer needs to motivate his players big time. Hamilton Masakadza and Solomon Mire need to fire at the top so that the likes of Brendan Taylor and Sikandar Raza can bat freely. Craig Ervine, Ryal Burl, and Malcolm Waller are the other batsmen present in the middle order for the visitors.

The skipper must lead from the front with the ball, but he would’ve loved more spinning options in his arsenal. Their primetime fast bowlers Kyle Jarvis and Tendai Chatara leaked runs heavily, same was the case with the comeback man Brian Vitori. Cremer returned with figures of 3/47 and he might favour bowling with the part-time spinners more in the middle overs.

Probable XI: Brendan Taylor (wk), Graeme Cremer (c), Hamilton Masakadza, Malcolm Waller, Kyle Jarvis, Craig Ervine, Tendai Chatara, Brian Vitori, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza, Solomon Mire

Focus will be on

Mohammad Shahzad (Afghanistan)

Shahzad and Nabi are fighting it out with each other for a historic achievement. Both these players are inches away from becoming the first Afghan player to score 2,000 runs in ODIs. Whilst Shahzad needs 27 runs, Nabi only needs 14. Yet, Sunday might be the day for Shahzad to get there before the all-rounder as he bats at the top of the order and Nabi is playing more often as a floater.

Hamilton Masakadza (Zimbabwe)

Has loads of experience in his baggage and this is probably the best time for him to show his worth in the side. Masakadza has been misfiring ever since this tour commenced but he is one player who can never be discarded. The likes of Mujeeb Zadran and Rashid Khan are bowling brilliantly with the new ball and he needs to put all his experience at stake and tackle that situation.

StatAttack

2,000 – Mohammad Nabi needs 14 runs to complete 2,000 ODI runs, whilst Mohammad Shahzad needs more 27 runs.

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