Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe – 2nd T20 International Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe taking place? Friday, March 19th, 2021 – 10:00 (UK)
Where is Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe taking place? Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
What is the expected weather for Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe? 28c with sunshine
What channel is Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe on? The match will be televised live on FreeSports in the UK (Sky channel 422)
Where can I stream Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe? The match will not be streamed live in the UK
LAST MEETING
Afghanistan beat by 48 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
AFGHANISTAN
- Afghanistan got the T20 series off to a winning start on Wednesday as they cruised to a 48-run win and that was largely thanks to some superb batting by Rahmanullah Gurbaz who smashed a stunning 87 from 45 balls to lay the foundations for their 198/5 batting first.
- Following Gurbaz’s exceptional knock which dented the Zimbabwe bowling attack’s confidence, Asghar Afghan hit an excellent fifty and then Rashid Khan was able to apply pressure and take 3/28 to deny their opponents in the run chase.
- The availability of Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Gulbadin Naib remains uncertain as they await visa clearance so their potential inclusion would only strengthen them further otherwise they will surely be unchanged.
ZIMBABWE
- Zimbabwe were unable to overcome a poor start to the first T20 as their poor bowling and fielding cost them dearly as while they fought back to keep the Afghans under 200, it was a total they were highly unlikely to get close to.
- There were a couple of positives with Tinashe Kamunhukamwe’s knock of 44 getting them off to a good start but they rely so heavily on Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza who were not at their best as their remains fragile.
- They will look back at their decision to field first as clearly the wrong one on a good batting surface so there is every chance they switch it up here and try post a solid total and apply some pressure on Afghanistan.
THE PREDICTION
Afghanistan got this T20 series off to a good start on Wednesday which saw them pick up their ninth win in their last ten games against Zimbabwe in this format of the game. They await news on a couple of key men who await visa clearance and if they are able to come in, that will only strengthen them further. There was quite a gulf between the two teams in the first game and barring complacency creeping in for the Afghans, it is hard to see how Zimbabwe bridge that gap. With the Afghan spinners led by Rashid Khan holding a big edge over the Zimbabwean batsmen and their batsmen possessing far more firepower, another win for Asghar Afghan’s men is on the cards.
