Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan – 1st One-Day International Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan taking place? Saturday 4th June, 2022 – 08:15 (UK)
Where is Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan taking place? Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe
What is the expected weather for Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan? 14-17c with sunny intervals throughout the day
What channel is Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan on? Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan? Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan cannot be televised live in the UK
LAST MEETING
Afghanistan completed a 3-0 T20I series victory with a 47-run win in March 2021. The last ODI between these two sides finished with Zimbabwe winning by two runs in an ICC World Cup qualifying thriller back in March 2018.
THE LOWDOWN
ZIMBABWE
- Zimbabwe will be without Sean Williams for this three-match ODI squad with the batsman being granted ‘compassionate leave’ by the Zimbabwean cricketing board. However, they do welcome back Blessing Muzarabani and Donald Tiripano to their bowling attack. Craig Ervine is also a surprise inclusion in their 15-man squad, having not played an ODI for Zimbabwe since 2019.
- The Chevrons most recent One-Day International outing was a 2-1 series defeat to Sri Lanka in January this year. They were competitive in the first match, won the second match before being blown away, bowled out for just 70 in the decider.
AFGHANISTAN
- After being a part of the ten-team 2019 ICC World Cup in England, Afghanistan will expect to once again finish inside the automatic qualification spots for the 2023 tournament in India. Their ICC ODI Super League campaign has been a strong one so far with nine victories and just two defeats in their three series’ so far.
- Afghanistan won a warm-up match in Harare the other day against a Zimbabwean Select XI. Rahmat Shah anchored the innings as an impressive batting lineup posted 272-6 before sharing the wickets and bowling Zimbabwe’s Select XI out for 204. There is no Rashid Khan in this series.
THE PREDICTION
Zimbabwe have shown signs of improvement in recent years but they remain some way off competing for the top eight in the ICC ODI Super League and qualifying for the ten-team ICC World Cup. They are the only side yet to win a series so far with three defeats and a drawn series. Afghanistan began their rise to international prominence with impressive Twenty20 performances but they are beginning to expand that game into the longer formats. They will expect to win this series and, despite being away from home, are firm favourites to win this opening match.
