Zimbabwe v Afghanistan 2nd ODI preview: Visitors will look to level series

Zimbabwe v Afghanistan 2nd ODI preview: Visitors will look to level series: Afghanistan doesn’t need to look out of the window too far for inspiration. Bulawayo, the stand alone province of Zimbabwe has been a major set up in the country and must act as an inspiration for the host. Wellington Masakadza produced a carrier best show as Afghanistan sunk in dismay.

The visitors were floored by Masakadza’s 4-21. Afghanistan called the toss right and elected to bat on a typical flat Queens Sports Club pitch. Jongwe’s double-wicket maiden restricted the visitors to 15-2, as Shehzad steadied the ship to an extent. Jongwe got the skipper early as the visitors were down without a fight.

In reply, Zimbabwe got off to a good start chasing 123 as Mutumbami and Chibhabha build a fifty partnership for the first wicket. Chibhabha went on to score his 15^th ODI fifty, as Zimbabwe thrashed the visitors by 8 wickets with 26 overs to spare.

Coming to the second ODI, Afghanistan will look to show some application in terms of batting, as it will be crucial for them to play out 50 overs. While the hosts will look to carry on the momentum after a perfect start to the series.

Zimbabwe

The hosts couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 5-match series. Zimbabwe have ticked all the boxes going into the 2nd game. They will bank on Jongwe once again for early inroads while Masakadza and Chisoro will look to bowl according to the plan. The batting looks heavy with Chibhabha and Mutumbami in form while Ervine and Chigumbura can bail out the hosts from any situation.

Zimbabwe will look to call the toss right and capitalize from the start. The middle order will play a vital role and hence rotation of strike will be important once the boundaries dry up. The hosts won’t take the Zadran duo lightly and hence spending time in the middle will be crucial before going for the big shots. Overall, Zimbabwe will look to keep things simple and do a repeat of the first one dayer.

Afghanistan

The visitors must have learnt a lesson or two from the 1st game and hence one can expect a better show in the 2nd outing. Afghanistan will look to break the jinx and come out of the shackle. The onus will be on the top order along with skipper Stanikzai to bat responsibly and make use of the flat tracks. A better shot selection coupled with a solid temperament can do wonders for Afghaistan.

In the bowling facet, Zadran duo will look to make use of the new ball and pick up early scalps to hear the panic tune. Afghanistan did well by not giving away a single extra and that should act as a big boost going into the second game. The visitors must aim to play out 50 overs and take the game from there on.

Pitch

Showers were lurking in the city ahead of the 1st match, but the weather seems set to clear for the 2nd ODI. There may be some early cloud cover, which will help seam and swing in the initial hours. The pitch will remain a good one for batting, particularly as it flattens out during the day.

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Zimbabwe – WLWWL
Afghanistan – LLLLW

Stats

17- Zimbabwe have won 17 of the 59 ODIs they have played at the Queens Sports Club, a win-loss ratio of 0.435 – a very similar ratio to the one that they hold at the Harare Sports Club, where they have played twice as many games (winning 36 out of 118 ODIs with a ratio of 0.450).

4- Craig Ervine’s 4 catches during the opening ODI equals the Zimbabwean record for most catches in an innings by a non-keeping fielder. Guy Whittall and Elton Chigumbura are the other two players to also hold that record.

46- Mohammad Nabi has hit 46 sixes in ODIs, more than anyone who has ever played for Afghanistan. Next on the list is Nawroz Mangal with 27.

0- No Afghanistan batsman has hit an ODI hundred this year.

Squads

Zimbabwe:

Chamu Chibhabha, Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Craig Ervine, Elton Chigumbura (capt), Sikandar Raza, Tino Mutombodzi, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Tendai Chisoro, Tinashe Panyangara, John Nyumbu.

Afghanistan:

Noor Ali Zadran, Nawroz Mangal, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Asghar Stanikzai (capt), Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shenwari, Najibullah Zadran, Amir Hamza, Aftab Alam, Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran.