Follow UsAfghanistan fully dominated the ODI series against Zimbabwe as they swept the series by 3-0 as go into the five-match T20I series with full confidence. The teams will face off at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday (June 11) in the first T20I.
Afghanistan, who have also gone through changes since last year's World Cup, will be raring to give more game time their newbies in build-up to the 2022 World Cup in October.
Ground Details and Team Combination
The Harare Sports Clubs has aided both batters and bowlers equally this year. In the 12 T20s played so far, the averages scores have been 150-plus while a total of 141 wickets fell. Pacers have claimed 71 wickets just one more than the spinners during this period. Spinners have an economy of 6.7, slightly better than pacers' 6.8. So it's better to go with a good mix of five proper batters and two allrounders who can bat lower down the order.
Suggested Team
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
Captain and vice-captain suggestions
For Small leagues: Azmatullah Omarzai (Captain), Luke Jongwe (Vice-captain)
For Grand leagues: Usman Ghani (Captain), Tadiwanashe Marumani (Vice-captain)
Stats That Matter
- Since the beginning of last year Nazibullah Zadran has the best strike rate among Afghan batters at 138.7 and has hit the most number of boundaries (22) in this period.
- Wesley Madhevere is arguably the best batter for Zimbabwe with 504 runs from 21 innings at a strike rate of 124.4. Only captain Craig Ervine has played come close with 363 runs and having played eight matches lesser than Madhevere.
- Azmatullah Omarzai comes on the back of two impressive performances against Bangladesh in March this year. This 3-22 helped Afghanistan beat Bangladesh in the second T20I and level the series. He also claimed five wickets in the series at an economy of 6.6.
Grand League Punts
- Luke Jongwe has been the shining light for Zimbabwean bowlers since the beginning of last year. The right-arm pacer has the fifth best average of 16.4 in T20Is for this period and is among the top-10 wicket takers with 31 scalps in 19 innings.
- Having played in franchise leagues across the globe, Ryan Burl's legspin is a big asset for Zimbabwe. The 28-year old has bowled a superb economy of 6.7 in the middle overs since 2021 and has claimed nine wickets from 12 innings in this period.
- Usman Ghani has become a safe bet for Afghanistan in the top order whenever he played in the past two years. Despite starting last year with a duck, the right hander has struck 49, 39 and 47 in the next innings at a strike rate of 119.5.
Probable XIs
Zimbabwe: Wesley Madhevere, Innocent Kaia, Regis Chakabva (WK), Sikandar Raza, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Craig Ervine (C), Luke Jongwe, Tendai Chatara, Ryan Burl, Blessing Muzarabani, Donald Tiripano.
Afghanistan: Hazratullah Zazai (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Usman Ghani, Darwish Rasooli, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi.