The stage is set for an exciting encounter between Zimbabwe (ZIM) and Afghanistan (AFG) in the 1st ODI at Harare Sports Club, Harare, on Tuesday, December 17. Afghanistan heads into the game full of confidence after winning the T20I series 2-1. They came from behind to win two consecutive T20Is after losing the first match, and their recent ODI series victory against Bangladesh further boosts their momentum.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe has had a difficult run in international cricket lately, having lost both the T20I and ODI series against Pakistan. Afghanistan also proved to be a tough challenge for them in the T20I series. Zimbabwe’s top-order has been inconsistent, while their bowling has shown promise in patches but struggled during key moments of matches.
Match Details:
- Match: Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, 1st ODI
- Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
- Date & Time: Tuesday, December 17, 1:00 PM IST
- Live Broadcast & Streaming: FanCode app and website
Pitch Report:
The pitch at Harare Sports Club is known for being a balanced wicket, favoring spinners more than pacers. Batsmen might find the ball gripping and sticking on the deck before coming onto the bat. Fast bowlers who can extract pace from the pitch could also see some success. Given Afghanistan’s world-class spin bowling attack, they are likely to have an upper hand in this game.
Head-To-Head Record:
- Matches Played: 28
- Won by Zimbabwe: 10
- Won by Afghanistan: 18
- Tied: 00
- No Result: 00
- First Fixture: July 18, 2014
- Most Recent Fixture: June 9, 2022
Probable XIs for ZIM vs AFG:
Zimbabwe:
- Craig Ervine (c), Tadiwanashe Marumani, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza, Brian Bennett, Sean Williams, Ben Curran, Trevor Gwandu, Richard Ngarava, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani.
Afghanistan:
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sadiqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Nangeyalia Karote, AM Ghanzafar, Gulbadin Naib.
Probable Top Performers:
Probable Best Batter: Azmatullah Omarzai
Azmatullah Omarzai has shown excellent form in the T20I series, playing three matches and scoring 75 runs at an average of 25 and a strike rate of around 104. He will be a key player for Afghanistan in this ODI series.
Probable Best Bowler: Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan, the Afghan leg-spinner, was in sensational form during the T20I series, taking 9 wickets at an average of 8.11, with an economy rate of just 6 runs per over. He will be a key weapon for Afghanistan in the upcoming ODI.
Match Scenarios:
Scenario 1: Zimbabwe wins the toss and opts to bowl first
- Powerplay Score (PP): 60-80
- Afghanistan Score: 265-285
- Prediction: Afghanistan to win the match.
Scenario 2: Afghanistan wins the toss and opts to bowl first
- Powerplay Score (PP): 50-70
- Zimbabwe Score: 230-250
- Prediction: Afghanistan to win the match.
Disclaimer:
The prediction is based on the analysis, understanding, and instinct of the author. Please consider the points mentioned and make your own decision while predicting the outcome of the match.
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