Zimbabwe v Afghanistan 2nd T20I preview: Zimbabwe will look to level series

Zimbabwe v Afghanistan 2nd T20I preview: Zimbabwe will look to level series: Afghanistan cruised to a 6-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the inaugural Twenty20 match between the two sides at the Queens Sports Club, successfully chasing 153 for 5 with five deliveries to spare. Mohammad Nabi once again anchored the visitors’ batting with an unbeaten 33, and he was well supported by Najibullah Zadran, who chipped in with an unbeaten 37 to stitch an unbroken 69-run stand.

Zimbabwe were cruising fine, but Afghanistan bowled effectively during the death overs with Dawlat Zadran leading the pack.

Afghanistan will look to continue their winning streak while Zimbabwe will wish to end their horrific run.

Zimbabwe:

Zimbabwe are without their leading run scorer Hamilton Masakadza and experienced Prosper Utseya. Having lost the ODI series and currently trailing the T20I series 1 down, the hosts will look to bounce back and share the honours.

Both the openers got their scores ticking with respective half centuries and this should give the hosts a reason to cheer.

Tendai Chisoro did a good job in the 1st T20I picking up a wicket and giving away only 26 runs in his 4 overs. Zimbabwe will look to build a solid foundation from the word go and set up a daunting task for the visitors.

Zimbabwe batted well during the power play and must look to carry on the fashion. Death overs will be a concern for the hosts, and they need to iron out the faults and plan out a strategy.

Afghanistan:

The visitor’s are currently on a fairy tale ride and will look for a clean sweep. Mohammed Nabi is in good form and the bowlers are packing a punch as well. Afghanistan have done exceptionally well during the death overs and restricted Zimbabwe to a par score. Najibullah will look to gain confidence from his match-winning knock, while Dawlat will look to continue his wicket taking spree.

Their five top T20 run-scorers, four of whom have played 30 or more games, are all present and, Hamid Hassan aside, they also have a full complement of bowlers to choose from. Afghanistan are aware of the Zimbabwe ranks, and hence they will go all guns blazing to make it a historic double.

Last 5 matches –

Zimbabwe: LLWLL
Afghanistan: WLWWW

Pitch and venue

The dryness in the Queens Sports Club square has brought spinners to the fore and also offered fast bowlers some help with both the new and old ball. But the duration of this format will obviously not allow the ball to age as much; the batsmen will have a delight on their platter. All the same, both teams will need to take a full toll in the first six overs to reach a defendable total, with short boundaries square of the wicket.

The weather should stay hot and sunny for the first game.

Stats and Facts

• Elton Chigumbura’s career strike rate of 154.04 is the highest in Zimbabwe’s squad
• This game will be Zimbabwe’s 9th in T20Is this year, making it their busiest year in the format
• Queens Sports Club has only hosted three T20Is in the past, one against Afghanistan and couple of games against Bangladesh.
• Mohammad Shahzad has hit the most sixes for Afghanistan in T20Is, with 28 in 31 games. He has also scored the most fifties for them, with 7.

Probable XI

Zimbabwe:

Chamu Chibhabha, Kevin Kasuza, Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura (C), Malcolm Waller, Sikandar Raza, Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Luke Jongwe, Tendai Chisoro, Wellington Masakadza, Taurai Muzarabani.

Afghanistan:

Usman Ghani, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Asghar Stanikzai (C), Shafiqullah, Najibullah, Karim Sadiq, Gulbadin Naib, Amir Hamza, Dawlat Zadran, Rashid Khan.