AFG vs ZIM 2nd Match Prediction

AFG vs ZIM Team Previews

Afghanistan

Afghanistan were stupendous in the only test they played against Bangladesh. They outwitted, outplayed, and outclassed the home side by quite a significant margin and will be looking to start on a happy note on in the shortest version of the game as well.

As compared to their test-match lineup, there will at least be a couple of different players in the team that is set to play on Saturday. Having said that, the key players are likely to stay the same with Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Rahmat Shah in their ranks.

Afghanistan didn't have a particularly useful World Cup campaign and bouncing back into the form could be a bit tricky for them. The acquaintance with the conditions, however, should do a world of good for them. Over the years, it's been their bowling that has caused trouble for the oppositions. We expect the same to happen again with some intelligent, accurate, and experienced bowlers available at their disposal. Their batting, however, do not have the same flair as their batting and if their batters can step up the game from their end, it's going to be an Afghanistan's exhibition yet again.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe will be gutted to lose the first match of the series, especially after being in a position to dictate terms. In a rain-affected game - which was reduced to 18 overs a side, Zimbabwe did well to reach 148 for seven as the pitch got slower towards the end of their innings. They, however, would have loved to have 20 runs more on the board, especially after the start they had.

After a decent innings from Hamilton Masakadza, Zimbabwe lost their way before their innings was patched by brilliant knocks from Tinotenda Mutombodzi and Ryan Burl. Ryan Burl eventually went on to hit his first T20I fifty. Lack of contributions from their middle-order hurt Zimbabwe in the opening game. Even though their late order performed exceedingly well and took their team out of trouble, their bowlers will have to be more cognizant in the upcoming fixtures.

Zimbabwe needed to pick up early wickets to have any say whatsoever in the game, and they did better than Bangladesh. They had the hosts in all sorts to trouble as Bangladesh lost their top six batsmen for a total of just 60 runs on the board. Zimbabwe bowlers, however, failed to pick up any other wickets as Afif and Mosaddek Hossain stitched together an excellent partnership, which was responsible for taking the hosts to a win that looked impossible at one stage.