Follow UsAfghanistan will take on Zimbabwe in the third and final One-Day International in Harare on Thursday (June 9). The visitors have already sealed the series 2-0 but there are still some crucial World Cup Super League points up for grabs. Afghanistan have been very dominant in this series, having won the first two ODIs by 60 runs and eight wickets respectively. They are currently placed third on the World Cup Super League table, while Zimbabwe are only above the Netherlands.
Ground details
The Harare Sports Club is hosting the entire series and the batters here have scored runs at an average of 35.1. Meanwhile, a wicket has fallen every 43.2 deliveries. In this series, the fast bowlers have operated at an average of 30.4 and a strike rate of 37.4, while the corresponding numbers for spinners are 39.8 and 51.6 respectively. However, it would still be ideal to have a couple of spinners in your team.
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 league: Rahmat Shah (Captain), Rashid Khan (Vice-captain)
For Grand League: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Captain), Sikandar Raza (Vice-captain)
Stats that matter
In ODIs since 2021, no other Afghanistan batter has scored more runs than Rahmat Shah. The 28-year-old has crafted 576 runs in 11 innings at an average of 57.6. The right-hander has scores of 94 and 87 in this series.
Rashid Khan has scalped 22 wickets in his last 11 innings at a strike rate of 28.9, and if that's not enough, the 23-year-old has also smashed 203 runs at an average of 33.83 and a strike rate of 140 in ODIs since 2021.
Sikandar Raza has been a consistent performer for Zimbabwe for quite some time now. In ODIs since 2021, the middle-order batter has scored 337 runs in nine innings at an average of 42.13. During this period, he had four scores of above 50. Raza scored 67 in the first ODI and followed it up with a score of 40 in the second game.
Grand League punts
Rahmanullah Gurbaz has only managed 21 runs in this series but you could take a punt on him. The wicketkeeper-batter has only played 11 ODIs but already has three centuries to his name.
Innocent Kaia made his ODI debut in this series and has looked good in both matches. The right-handed opener scored 39 in the first ODI and followed it up with a score of 63 in the second encounter.
Predicted XIs
Afghanistan - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik.
Zimbabwe - Innocent Kaia, Regis Chakabva (wk), Craig Ervine (c), Wesley Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Donald Tiripano, Tendai Chatara, Tanaka Chivanga, Blessing Muzarabani.