When and Where to watch Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, and Pitch Report for 3rd T20I

Zimbabwe’s freefall in the T20I continues as Afghanistan thrashed them by 45 runs in the second T20I to take an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the series. And they will be out to evade a clean-sweep within 24 hours of the recent beating.

In this series, Zimbabwe entered with a pile of losses behind them – they had lost four on the trot – and all they have managed to do is add two more to that. Against Afghanistan, their record inspires little confidence – one win in 11 attempts, but after a hard-fought Test series, Zimbabwe must have fancied their chances to show some fight in the shorter format, although they have been far from being competitive, let alone showing fight.

The most ideal chance, if at all there was one, was in the series-opener against a depleted Afghanistan side with five of their major players missing out owing to visa issues. However, a show-stopping 45-ball 87 from Rahmanullah Gurbaz meant that they were chasing a target they never did in history – 199. Then their nemesis from the Test series, Rashid Khan, alongside Karim Janat, ensured to keep them under check, grabbing three wickets to break the back of the chase that eventually stopped 48 runs short.

On Friday (19th March) came another morale-crushing loss for them as Usman Ghani (49 from 34) and Janat (53 from 38) battered the bowlers before Mohammad Nabi’s 15-ball 40 assault powered the Afghans to another total that proved well beyond their reach. Unlike their rivals, Zimbabwe had only pride to play for in the series, given they have already lost any chance to make it into the T20 World Cup qualifiers owing to the suspension of their cricketing board when the Qualifiers for the global event were being held.

In stark contrast, Afghanistan, who have quite a story of their own in the T20I format, have managed to play all their cards to perfection with eyes on the arriving Asia Cup and T20I World Cup. Keeping aside the first Test in the entire tour, they have hardly put a foot wrong. On Saturday, they will have a chance to let that be their only forgettable show in the Zimbabwe assignment.

Pitch and conditions

While Abu Dhabi has been good for batting, it is the lack of potency in the batsmen and some good bowling by the opponents, which has restricted Zimbabwe on the same track where Afghanistan has been able to dominate by notching up totals close to 200. The conditions will be slightly hot and dry.

Playing combinations for Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe

Afghanistan

Predicted XI: Rahmatullah Gurbaz (WK), Usman Ghani, Karim Janat, Asghar Afghan (C), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Amir Hamza, Rashid Khan, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Naveen-ul-Haq

Zimbabwe

Predicted XI: Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Tarisai Musakanda, Sean Williams (C), Wesley Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Richmond Mutumbami (WK), Donald Tiripano, Brandon Mavuta, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Head-to-Head

Played – 11 | Afghanistan – 10 | Zimbabwe -1

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Broadcast Details

Match Timings – 3:30 PM (IST)

Live Streaming – FanCode