NEWS
Follow UsAfter sweeping the ODI series 3-0, Afghanistan produced another clinical performance against Zimbabwe as they won the first T20I on Saturday by six wickets. After openers Hazratullah Zazai (45) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (33) laid a solid foundation Naijbullah Zadran (45 not out) got the visitors over the line with four balls to spare and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Zimbabwe were not without efforts as Sikandar Raza scored a brisk 45 off just 31 balls to take them to 159/8 in 20 overs at the Harare Sports Club. Allrounder Ryan Burl put Afghanistan on the spot when he dismissed three top-order batters in the space of six balls before Zadran rescued the chase. The hosts will look to take the positives from the first game and level the series on Sunday (June 12).
Ground Details and Team Combination
The Harare Sports Clubs has aided both batters and bowlers equally this year. In the 13 T20s played so far, the averages scores have been 150-plus while a total of 151 wickets fell. Pacers have claimed 76 wickets just one more than the spinners during this period. Spinners have an economy of 6.6, better than pacers' 7.2. 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: Hazratullah Zazai (Captain), Luke Jongwe (Vice-captain)
For Grand leagues: Wesley Madhevere (Captain), Najibullah Zadran (Vice-captain)
Stats That Matter
- Najibullah Zadran is Afghansitan's best batter since the beginning of last year. The batter has scored 327 runs from 10 innings at a superb strike rate of 142.8 including three fifties.
- Among Afghan batters, Rahmanullah Gurbaz has amassed the most number of runs in the powerplay since 2021. The opener has also scored at a healthy strike rate of 123.5 which will be crucial for the visitors in the second T20I.
- In T20Is since 2021, Blessing Muzarbani has bowled at an economy of 4.5 in the middle overs which is the best among Zimbabwean pacers who have played more than five matches.
Grand League Punts
- Wesley Madhevere is arguably the best batter for Zimbabwe with 536 runs from 22 innings at a strike rate of 125. He was key in the first T20I against Afghansitan with a well-paced 32 off 24 balls.
- Ryan Burl has been supremely effective for Zimbabwe with both the ball and ball. Since 2021, the 28-year old has scalped 13 wickets from as many innings at an economy of 6.3, including a three-wicket burst in a single over in the first T20I. He has also scored 287 runs at a strike rate of 122.1 at an average of 31.89 during this period.
- Rashid Khan has been sensational in the middle overs as he claimed 10 wickets from 11 innings at an economy of 6.3, the best for Afghanistan in the last 16 months.
Probable XIs
Zimbabwe: Wesley Madhevere, Innocent Kaia, Craig Ervine (C), Regis Chakabva (WK), Milton Shumba, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani.
Afghanistan: Mohammad Nabi (C), Najibullah Zadran, Usman Ghani, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Karim Janat, Nijat Masood, Azmatullah Omarzai, Darwish Rasooli, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rashid Khan.
