Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan – 2nd One-Day International Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan taking place? Monday, June 6th, 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? 11-16c with sunshine and a gentle breeze
What channel is Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan on? Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan will be televised on FreeSports in the UK although the broadcast will not be live as it stands
Where can I stream Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan? Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan can be streamed via Premier Player
LAST MEETING
Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by 60 runs
THE LOWDOWN
ZIMBABWE
- Zimbabwe were unable to cope with the spin-bowling threat Afghanistan posed in their chase of 277, ultimately falling to 216 all out after losing their final wicket off the last ball of their allocated 50 overs.
- If the hosts are to succeed in this second ODI then their bowlers will need to provide more support to Blessing Muzarabani, who was fighting almost a lone battle during the Afghanistan innings, taking four of Zimbabwe’s five wickets
AFGHANISTAN
- Knocks of 94 and 88 from Rahmat Shah and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi respectively helped lay the foundations for Afghanistan’s score of 276/5 after losing the toss and being asked to bat first, ultimately a winning score.
- Such a substantial total proved more than adequate for the tourists, who then proceeded to spin Zimbabwe out of the game through the likes of Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi and Afghanistan will be banking on their slow bowling options to once again keep the home team well restricted when they come to bat.
THE PREDICTION
Ultimately, it will have been a long time since Zimbabwe will have faced the quality of spin-bowling that they currently are in this series and Afghanistan utilised this to excellent affect in the opening ODI. The margin of victory was vast and key for the visitors was two of their key batters firing in the top order, as this was clearly their weak spot going into the series. When taking into account the quality of Afghanistan’s bowling attack, they should once manage to keep Zimbabwe restricted to a modest score in either the first or second innings and with the batting having proven up to the challenge in the first ODI, expect Afghanistan to once again outscore in the hosts in this one, whether they be setting or chasing a target. Therefore, back a second successive ODI victory here for Hashmatullah Shahidi’s side.
