Preview:
Afghanistan moved on from their win in the second Test against Zimbabwe in the shortest form, comfortably beating Zimbabwe to take the lead of a series in the three-match series. It wasn’t just the absolute brilliance, but what would have given them more confidence, they were able to do so without five of their players, including Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Gulbadin Naib, who were arrived in UAE late due to visa issues.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the opener, stole the display for Afghanistan with a dynamic face fifty years after they asked for bats. He ran away to 87, before falling 13 short on what would have been his first T20I era. The captain also found Afghan Asghar among the running, continuing his form from the Tests after scoring a hundred years, with fifty to name – his fourth in the T20Is. Together, they brought Afghanistan to 198 which turned out to be too much for Zimbabwe.
With the ball, they were led by their main man Rashid Khan, who is not just a star for Afghanistan, but one in T20 cricket, who returned three wikis. But most surprising is Karim Janat who returned 2-14 in his return game, having last played in 2017. He completed an amazing game around them that will help them prepare for the T20 WC due in October.
Zimbabwe has not received certification for the T20 WC due to administrative reasons as their board was suspended during the Certification. They also don’t come into the game with a record to boast that they lost their last five T20Is. Against Afghanistan in particular, they have lost nine of their last 10. Many come down to overconfidence in familiar Sean Williams and Sikander Raza. But for them, game time is useful for their game promotion, waiting to host Pakistan next month at home where they will play two Tests and three T20Is. That said, for now, their focus will be on trying to balance the series after accepting the opener of the series. They have lost all five of their last T20Is, including nine of the last 10 against Afghanistan.
How: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, 2nd T20I, Friday 19th March 2020, 2:00 pm local
Where: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
What to expect: Afghanistan have high confidence, and are well accustomed to playing in the deciduous heat of the UAE. The maximum temperature can reach 31 degrees.
Team News:
Afghanistan
Afghanistan could be misled into posting some changes, including staff from the five who delayed arrival. However, they may not want to tweak a winning mix, giving the boys in the XI another chance.
Most likely XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Karim Janat, Usman Ghani, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghan Asghar (c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Amir Hamza, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fareed Malik
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe can also enter with the same side, unlike any changes.
Most likely XI: Tarisai Musakanda, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Sean Williams (c), Wesley Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Ryan Burl, Donald Tiripano, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava