×

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, 3rd ODI preview: Visitors look to seal series at Harare

Afghanistan have never lost a series against Zimbabwe, in their den, and will look to repeat the feat on Tuesday.

It is jubilant times for Rashid Khan who will be eager to seal the series for his side vs Zimbabwe on Tuesday © AFP (File Photo)
It is jubilant times for Rashid Khan who will be eager to seal the series for his side vs Zimbabwe on Tuesday © AFP (File Photo)

Rashid Khan must have been delighted to take 3 for 25 to rattle Zimbabwe in the second ODI. Nonetheless, little did he know that the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 auction would have taken him to such heights. At a base price of INR 30 lakhs, Rashid was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at INR 4 crores. Afghanistan cricket must have been enthralled to see their 18-year-old leggie slated to take part in IPL 2017, but were over the moon with Mohammad Nabi  breaking into SRH’s squad. He was bought at his base price of INR 30 lakhs, as Afghanistan will have their first two players taking part in the cash-rich event. Full Cricket Scorecard, Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, 3rd ODI at Harare

Coming back to international cricket, Afghanistan will like to make merry on their rise in stature and current form to seal the five-match ODI series versus hosts Zimbabwe. Winning the first match by 12 runs (D/L method) and nailing the second clash by 54 runs, Afghanistan will be determined to take the honours and win the series at Harare. Zimbabwe’s poor run and consistent style of giving away the match from nowhere will keep them on their toes to keep the series alive.

Numbers game

The head-to-head record stands in favour of Afghanistan. They have their tails up with 10 victories in 16 games. Zimbabwe have a win per cent of 37.5 against a side who are gaining strides in world cricket gigantically. In three bilateral series played in Zimbabwe, Afghanistan have emerged victorious in 2 occasions. The other series was tied, thereby showing the visitors’ dominance over hosts (with inputs from Abhishek Kumar). To make matters worse, Zimbabwe look minnows in front of a side who are termed as Associate Nation. This is due to visitors’ rampant form. All in all, Asghar Stanikzai and co. will look to give the hosts a run for their money.

Key players

Needless to say, a captain is expected to lead from the front. Stanikzai and Graeme Cremer have done their jobs decently. The former was the Man of the Match in the series opener, and Cremer is the leading wicket-taker (along with Tendai Chatara) in only two games. They will like to set examples in a vital clash for both sides. Apart from Stanikzai, the onus will be on Nabi, Mohammad Shahzad, Rashid, Najibullah Zadran and Dawlat Zadran. From hosts’ perspective, Chatara, Soloman Mire, Craig Ervine, Hamilton Masakadza and and Peter Moor will have to step up and prevent visitors from taking an unassailable lead.

Favourites?

Seeing Zimbabwe’s recent slump and Afghanistan’s rich form, the writing is pretty much clear. The latter are overwhelming favourites and another easy win maybe on cards for them. Nonetheless, cricket is a funny game and a do-or-die encounter may just bring out the best from a lowly Zimbabwe.

Squads:

Zimbabwe: Solomon Mire, Peter Moor(wk), Craig Ervine, Hamilton Masakadza, Ryan Burl, Tarisai Musakanda, Malcolm Waller, Graeme Cremer(c), Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Nathan Waller, Elton Chigumbura, Wellington Masakadza, Donald Tiripano, Carl Mumba

Afghanistan: Mohammad Shahzad(wk), Noor Ali Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Stanikzai(c), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Amir Hamza, Aftab Alam, Fareed Ahmad, Karim Janat, Samiullah Shenwari, Ihsanullah Janat

trending this week