AFG vs ZIM Live Score, 1st T20I, Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Live Score Updates, AFG vs ZIM Playing XI’s

Venue:         Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi

Match Preview

Afghanistan will take on Zimbabwe in the first of the 3-match T20I series, starting from 17^th March. In the neutral venue here in Abu Dhabi, both sides have performed equally well in the test series, which ended 1-1. Afghanistan are progressing extremely well year by year in both ODI and T20 formats. They defeated Ireland 2-1 in their last T20I series. But with not much exposure in the T20I cricket from past 12 months, it will be challenging for them to beat the Zimbabweans.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe had recently toured Pakistan, but they were thrashed 3-0. This time, the captaincy responsibility is on the shoulders of Sean Williams, who has done a pretty good job in leading the side in the Test series. There are plenty of changes in their squad from the last T20I series, with Brandon Taylor, Elton Chigumbura, and Chamu Chibhabha all missing. Zimbabwe are currently ranked 12^th in the ICC T20 rankings and a series win here will slightly boost their ranking points.

AFG vs ZIM Squads

Afghanistan

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Usman Ghani, Karim Janat, Ashgar Afghan (C), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rehman, Naveen ul Haq and Fazal Haq Farooqi

Zimbabwe

Milton Shumba, Richmond Mutumbami (WK), Sean Williams (C), Sikandar Raza, Wesley Madhevere, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Blessing Muzurabani, Donald Tiripano, Ryan Burl, Richard Ngarava and Brandon Mavuta

Weather Report & Pitch Condition

It will be a bright and sunny afternoon here in Abu Dhabi with the temperature ranging between 29-31 degrees Celsius and the humidity will be 40 per cent. There is no chance of precipitation for this match.

It’s a pretty balanced wicket for this format, where both batsmen and bowlers will get equal opportunities to express themselves and will be rewarded if they perform well on the field. Recent statistics show that teams chasing have won the majority of the matches played here and whoever wins should bowl first on this surface.

AFG vs ZIM Top Picks

• Rahmanullah Gurbaz is still in his early days in T20I cricket, but has scored 332 runs in 10 matches at an average of 33.20 and a strike rate of 140.67, which includes 2 half-centuries.
• Rashid Khan has troubled the batsmen all around the world and he is likely to be a nightmare for the Zimbabwe batters as well in the upcoming matches. In his 48 T20I matches, he has scalped 89 wickets at an economy of 6.14 runs per over.
• Mohammad Nabi has huge experience in this format, having played for many franchises in different parts of the world. He can contribute equally well with both bat and ball. Nabi has played 78 T20I matches for Afghanistan, in which has scored 1347 runs at a strike rate of 145.3 and has also picked up 69 wickets at an economy of 7.17 runs per over.
• Wesley Madhevere scored the most runs for Zimbabwe in the previous T20I series against of Pakistan. In 3 matches, he scored 103 runs at an average of 51.5, with the highest score of 70.
• Sean Williams has been rewarded the captaincy for his good performances in the last tour of Pakistan. In his T20I career, Williams has scored 882 runs in 42 matches at an average of 23.84 and a strike rate of 128.95. He has also picked up 32 wickets with the best bowling figure of 3/15.

Suggested Playing XI for AFG vs ZIM Dream11 Fantasy Cricket

Fantasy Suggestion #1: R Gurbaz, A Afghan, U Ghani, W Madhevere, S Williams, S Raza, R Burl, K Janat, R Khan, N ul Haq and B Muzarabani

Captain: R Gurbaz, Vice-Captain: S Williams

Fantasy Suggestion #2: R Gurbaz, A Afghan, U Ghani, M Shumba, S Williams, S Raza, R Mutumbami, K Janat, R Khan, N ul Haq and B Muzarabani

Captain: R Gurbaz, Vice-Captain: K Janat