Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan | Cricket Match Prediction | 2nd ODI | Dec 19 – Let’s see who will win the 2nd ODI after a rain-interrupted match. 

ZIM vs AFG Match Analysis

Harare Sports Club, Harare, will host the second ODI of a three-match ODI series between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan at 1:30 pm BST on December 19, 2024.

Zimbabwe will be worried about their batting collapse in the first match and will be hoping for a swift recovery as they face Afghanistan in the second game at the same venue in Harare.

Afghanistan was in control of the game after winning the toss and choosing to bowl first, despite the first ODI being washed out due to rain. The hosts found themselves struggling, losing 5 wickets for just 44 runs in the 10th over.

ZIM vs AFG Team Preview & Squads

Zimbabwe 

Zimbabwe will need to address their batting issues if they hope to improve.

Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, and Sikandar Raza, as experienced players in the lower middle order, will be expected to contribute important runs and build partnerships.

However, much depends on the top order. A collapse at the top could severely impact their ability to post a competitive total. Ben Curran, making his debut, is opening alongside wicket-keeper batsman Tadiwanashe Marumani. Curran showed promise early in his innings, but it was a challenging pitch, and the opposition had a strong bowling attack. Marumani, however, has struggled in ODIs, averaging just 15.71.

The batting lineup is quite inexperienced, with many middle-order batters having played fewer than 10 ODIs. It’s a tough phase for Zimbabwe cricket, with several fresh faces in the squad.

Williams, Ervine, and Raza will need to provide crucial support to the new batters. It may be worth considering a reshuffle in the batting order, allowing more experienced players to bat at positions 3 or 4.

Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava will lead the bowling attack, and Zimbabwe will be counting on them to take early wickets and make an impact with the ball.

Zimbabwe Squads

Zimbabwe Squads

Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Blessing Muzarabani, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Richard Ngarava, Dion Myers, Trevor Gwandu, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Tinotenda Maposa, Wellington Masakadza, Newman Nyamhuri, Ben Curran, Joylord Gumbie, and Tashinga Musekiwa.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan will be feeling confident following their recent performance, where their bowlers put Zimbabwe under pressure. AM Ghazanfar and Azmatullah Omarzai were particularly effective with the ball.

With the likes of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Fazalhaq Farooqi in their ranks, Afghanistan’s bowling attack is formidable. They bounced back from a loss in the first T20I to secure a 2-1 series win.

The visitors have also faced challenges on this wicket and are well aware of the difficulties it presents to batters. They have a few less-experienced players, such as Sediqullah Atal and Abdul Malik, who could feature in the top order.

Key middle-order players like Rahmat Shah and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi will be crucial. Both have played vital knocks in the past, including in the World Cup, against top-tier opposition.

The middle order also includes promising players like Ikram Akhil and all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai, while Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan provide the ability to accelerate the scoring in the lower order.

Overall, Afghanistan is a well-rounded team with experience in every department. With momentum on their side, they will enter this contest with an advantage.

Afghanistan Squads

Afghanistan Squads

Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Ikram Ali Khil, Rahmat Shah, Sediqullah Atal, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fareed Ahmad, Nangeyalia Kharote, AM Ghazanfar, Bilal Sami, Abdul Malik, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Darwish Rasooli, and Naveed Zadran.

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan outfield report 

Harare Sports Club, Harare

In the 198 ODIs held at the Harare Sports Club in Harare, teams that bowled first have won 103 of them. Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bowl first, putting them in control of the first game. In order to gain an advantage in the match by taking early wickets, both teams will be keen to bowl first.

Harare will have partly overcast conditions with a high temperature of 27 degrees Celsius. We anticipate a result in the second ODI because there is no rain forecast for the match day, even if the previous match was canceled due to rain.

The average first innings score in the previous ten ODIs has dropped to 188 runs on this bowling-friendly ground.      

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

In the last five games, Afghanistan won three of them and ZIM won one.

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Prediction

Cricket analysts predict Afghanistan has a 71% chance of winning.

Disclaimer: This cricket prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.