Published: Feb 15, 2017, 04:45 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 15, 2017, 04:49 PM (IST)
The No. 11 ranked Zimbabwe will play hosts to Afghanistan, ranked right above them, for a 5-ODI series with the first game to be played at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Thursday. Afghanistan are ahead in the ODI team rankings with a marginal difference of 4 points, but if Zimbabwe manage to clinch this series, it will not only change their fortunes ahead of their series against Sri Lanka six months later but also help them return to the top 10. Zimbabwe have been unfortunate, as twice they have lost ODI series to Afghanistab by close margins. Afghanistan played their first-ever bilateral series in Zimbabwe at Harare, and triumphed 3-2 in 2015. The same year saw Afghanistan trumping Zimbabwe by a similar margin at UAE as well. Full Cricket Scorecard: Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, 1st ODI at Harare Sports Club in Harare
One can also not forget that it was Afghanistan who beat Zimbabwe in the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 to earn place in the Super 10 stage. If given a closer look at the recent performance of both the sides in limited-overs cricket, Zimbabwe last played an ODI in November where they took on Sri Lanka and West Indies in tri-series tournament. They even reached the final, however, lost the match against Sri Lanka and since then have remained off the field.
For that matter, Afghanistan too, have not played any 50-over contest since October. Their latest assignment has been in the shortest format in the inaugural Desert T20 which they won against Ireland by 10 wickets.
Zimbabwe’s new look:
The Zimbabwe squad looks fresh as prominent names like Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams, Tendai Chisoro and Chamu Chibhabha were left out from the 14-member squad which was announced on Tuesday. They failed to make the cut as these cricketers had failed to pass the minimum fitness standards by the team management. However, there is a ray of hope for Masakadza and Williams to find a spot in the squad, if they pass another mandatory fitness Test on Wednesday.
Remember Richard Ngarava? He is the one who was at the receiving end of the controversial ‘Mankad’ incident in an U-19 World Cup game against West Indies, Ngarava, a left-arm pacer, is all set to make his debut in the senior team after his impressive performance at the junior level. His figures of 4 for 10 in 9 overs against South Africa was one of his best in the tournament. He also impressed many in the recently-concluded List A match against Afghanistan A where he picked 3 wickets for 24 in just the second match. ZIM vs AFG, 1st ODI: Shahzad vs Moor and other key battles
Another notable inclusion is Carl Mumba who made his debut for the side last year against Sri Lanka in both Tests and ODIs. Although he could not stamp his authority in Tests, picking just a wicket in the first innings, he bounced back when he got 4 wickets in the second. In the recent List A match, Mumba shone with a 5-wicket haul, although for a losing cause and that claimed him a spot in the senior side.
Apart from these pacers, Donald Tiripano and Graeme Cremer will add depth to the bowling unit.
The batting department will be looked after by Cremer, Tarisai Musakanda, Craig Ervine and Malcolm Waller.
Afghanistan’s spirits high after shortest format success:
Afghanistan had a not-so-pleasing run in ODI cricket in 2016, as they lost to Bangladesh and drew against Ireland. However, they enjoyed tremendous success in the shortest format by not only entering the Super 10 of T20 World Cup 2016 and defeating champions West Indies, but also posed stiff competition in the T20 Asia Cup 2016.
Afghanistan are yet to announce their squad but their all-round unit can keep any team at bay. With batsmen comprising of Mohammad Shahzad, Rahmat Shah, Nawroz Mangal in the top-order, the middle-order usually has any task to handle. However, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, skipper Asghar Stanikzai and Rashid Khan complete the unfinished task with their hard-hitting skills.
With Nabi and Samiullah Shenwari comprising the spinners and Dawlat, Rashid, Naveen-ul-Haq and Mirwais Ashraf building the pace attack of the side, Zimbabwe have a lot to be wary of. Ngarava, Mumba added to Zimbabwe squad for ODI series
Meanwhile, Afghanistan have received yet another boost with 5 prominent players – Nabi, Shahzad, Stanikzai, Rashid and Dawlat being drafted in the upcoming IPL 2017 auction list.
Another major boost for Afghanistan was the recent changes from ICC meeting held in January. The ICC’s proposal included top nine Test playing countries would compete amongst themselves in a rolling two-year league and against three lower-ranked teams. Zimbabwe already have a Test status, now Afghanistan and Ireland are in contention to become full Test members, provided they meet the membership criteria. Afghanistan are ahead narrowly in the league from Ireland in terms of ICC Intercontinental Cup.
The winner of this tournament will meet the 10th–ranked Test team Zimbabwe in a four-Test series in 2018, in a bid to become the 11th ranked Test nation until 2022.
Squads:
Zimbabwe: Graeme Cremer (c), Peter Moor (wk), Ryan Burl, Tarisai Musakanda, Sikandar Raza, Malcolm Waller, Elton Chigumbura, Wellington Masakadza, Donald Tiripano, Tendai Chatara, Christopher Mpofu, Nathan Waller, Craig Ervine, Solomon Mire, Carl Mumba, Richard Ngarava
Afghanistan: To be announced
Time: 09:30 local | 07:30 GMT | 13:00 IST
