With the white-ball sequence achieved and dusted, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will now play a two-match ZIM vs AFG Check sequence in opposition to one another. The much-awaited first ZIM vs AFG Check will likely be performed from Thursday (December 26) on the Queens Sports activities Membership, Bulawayo.
Earlier on the continuing tour, Afghanistan performed 3 T20Is and as many ODIs in opposition to Zimbabwe. The ZIM vs AFG tour began on a shedding word for the guests as they misplaced the primary T20I by 4 wickets. Nevertheless, they bounced again and gained the subsequent two video games to clinch the sequence.
Within the ODI sequence, Zimbabwe had been no match for Afghanistan. After rain washed out the primary ODI, Afghanistan thrashed the house facet by 232 runs within the second sport. Within the third sport, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by 8 wickets to clinch the sequence 2-0.
With each Afghanistan and Zimbabwe eyeing a profitable begin within the Check sequence, here’s a preview of the sport.
ZIM vs AFG Match Preview – 1st Check, Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024-25:
ZIM vs AFG 1st Check, Date and Venue:
The primary Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Check is scheduled to be performed from Thursday (December 26). The venue for the sport is Queens Sports activities Membership, Bulawayo.
Squads:
Zimbabwe:
Craig Ervine (captain), Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Takudzwa Chataira, Joylord Gumbie, Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brandon Mavuta, Nyasha Mayavo, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams
Afghanistan:
Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Ikram Alikhail (WK), Afsar Zazai (WK), Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Zahir Shehzad, Rashid Khan, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Yamin Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad Afghan, Naveed Zadran, Fareed Ahmad Malik, and AM Ghazanfar.
ZIM vs AFG Key Battles
AM Ghazanfar vs Sean Williams:
Sean Williams has a superb document in opposition to Zimbabwe in Exams. The senior batsman holds the document for scoring probably the most runs within the Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Exams. Within the two Exams that he has performed in opposition to Afghanistan up to now, Williams has scored 264 runs together with 2 centuries.
Williams will likely be trying to replicate the identical efficiency within the upcoming sequence as nicely. He may make a giant distinction within the sequence and Afghanistan will likely be counting on their spinner AM Ghazanfar to cease the Zimbabwe batsman. Within the latest ODI sequence, Ghazanfar picked up 9 wickets together with a 5-wicket haul within the third sport.
Richard Ngarava vs Sediqullah Atal:
Sediqullah Atal seemed in good kind within the ODI sequence in opposition to Zimbabwe. After the primary sport was washed out, he scored 104 runs within the second ODI. Within the third ODI, he scored 52 runs and completed the sequence as the very best run-scorer.
With kind on his facet, Atal will likely be eyeing extra success within the first Check. Zimbabwe will likely be hoping that the Afghanistan opener doesn’t rating massive and will likely be counting on their quick bowler Richard Ngarava to ship him again.
Hashmatullah Shahidi vs Sikandar Raza:
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi will likely be trying to lead his group from the entrance. A dependable middle-order batsman, Shahidi has already scored a double century in opposition to Zimbabwe in Exams and will likely be trying to dwell as much as the expectations within the upcoming Check as nicely.
Zimbabwe will likely be hoping that their senior allrounder Sikandar Raza doesn’t let Shahidi rating massive. A helpful off-spinner Raza may cause quite a lot of hassle for Shahidi who’s a left-handed batsman.
ZIM vs AFG Key Gamers
ZIM – Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, and Richard Ngarava would be the key gamers for Zimbabwe.
AFG – Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, AM Ghazanfar, and Fareed Ahmed would be the key gamers for Afghanistan.
Conclusion:
Each Zimbabwe and Afghanistan will likely be trying to begin the Check sequence on a profitable word. Whereas the momentum is certainly with Afghanistan following their win within the T20I and ODI sequence, the house situations are with Zimbabwe and they are going to be trying to profit from it.