Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Preview & Prediction | 1st T20 International

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Zimbabwe’s last cricket of 2024 sees them entertain Afghanistan in an all-format tour taking place in Harare and Bulawayo.

Date/Time: Wednesday 11th December 2024: US PST – 3:30am / US EST – 6:30am / UK – 11:30am

Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe

Weather: Extremely hot conditions with bright sunshine throughout and temperatures at well over 30c.

How To Watch On TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not Televised

How To Watch Online: UK – Not Televised / US – Not Televised

Zimbabwe Betting Analysis

Zimbabwe are hoping to build on a consolation T20i victory against Pakistan after having already lost the three-match series. That game saw them triumph in a fairly low-scoring run chase by two wickets after the bowlers had done well initially. Blessing Muzarabani led the charge with a couple of scalps and he is consistently an ace for this Zimbabwean bowling unit. If they are to run through Afghanistan, Muzarabani will likely play a big role, so look at backing him to take 2+ wickets.

Afghanistan Betting Analysis

With batter Ibrahim Zadran still out through injury, Afghanistan will need their top order to step up again in his absence. The likes of Rahmanullah Gubaz and Hazratullah Zazai are crucial to their chances, the former in particular seen as one of the most exciting hitters in T20 cricket both internationally and on the franchise circuit. Gurbaz will look to climb into the home bowlers and warrants backing via a small stake to finish as Afghanistan’s top batter in the first T20i.

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Expert Prediction

This T20i is likely to prove closer than what we saw when Zimbabwe took on Pakistan. The hosts are match-fresh and on the back of three T20i games already, whilst it could take Afghanistan more time to adapt to both the conditions and the rigours of this format. However, when you assess both squads, the tourists are superior on paper and if they hit the ground running, then the expectation is that they will have the better of this one. Expect a tight opening the game, but the smart play would be backing Afghanistan to edge it.

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Tip: Afghanistan to win