Zimbabwe is poised to face Afghanistan in the third and final T20I of their three-match series at Harare Sports Club on November 2, starting at 5:00 PM IST. After suffering a seven-wicket defeat in the second T20I, where they were dismissed for a mere 125 runs, Zimbabwe’s quest for a win has become crucial to regain pride in the series.
In their last outing, captain Sikandar Raza was the standout performer with the bat, scoring 37 runs. However, the team’s failure to capitalize on starts by Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Brendan Taylor, and Ryan Burl proved detrimental. With the ball, Brad Evans exhibited promise by taking 3 wickets for 21 runs, while Wellington Masakadza maintained an economical spell with 1 for 20. Nonetheless, Zimbabwe requires a more cohesive effort in all departments to avoid a series whitewash.
Afghanistan has shown formidable strength throughout the series, with their bowling unit dominating Zimbabwe’s batting line-up. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan led the charge with exceptional performances in the second T20I, helping restrict Zimbabwe to a low total. Ibrahim Zadran’s unbeaten 57 runs, complemented by Azmatullah Omarzai’s brisk 25 off 13 balls, easily guided Afghanistan to victory.
Historically, Afghanistan has had the upper hand against Zimbabwe in T20Is, winning 18 out of their 20 encounters. As the teams prepare for this decisive match, both will look to their star players to shine. For Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza, with his all-round capabilities, will be pivotal, while Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, known for his impactful bowling, is a significant threat.
The Harare Sports Club pitch is generally favorable for both batters and bowlers. It can assist seamers with bounce and movement early on, but as the game progresses, spinners might find some assistance, although they often see limited turn. With favorable batting conditions anticipated, the toss winner may consider batting first.
As the series wraps up, several players have the opportunity to set new records. Brian Bennett is on the verge of reaching 1,500 T20I runs, while Sikandar Raza is just one wicket away from 100 T20I wickets. On the Afghan side, Mohammad Nabi is close to 2,500 T20I runs, with other players also approaching significant milestones.
With everything to play for, the third T20I promises to deliver an exciting encounter between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, as both teams aim to leave their mark before concluding the series.