Zimbabwe v Afghanistan 4th ODI preview: Zimbabwe aim to pocket the series

Zimbabwe v Afghanistan 4th ODI preview: Zimbabwe aim to pocket the series: The ODI series between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan has been kind of see-saw battle between both the teams until now. Momentum has constantly shifted from one team to the other. Both teams have come back from a defeat and won the next one comprehensively. As of now, Zimbabwe is in high spirits after taking a 2-1 lead, defeating Afghanistan in an exciting match.

This match will be very important from the perspective of both teams. On one hand Zimbabwe will look to seal the series while Afghanistan will try to win and keep the series alive.

Zimbabwe: 

As it happens with every winning team, everything looked sorted out for Zimbabwe. Their out of form captain Elton Chigumbura struck form by hitting a crucial half century. Both openers Mutumbami and Chibhabha looked good and have given good starts. Richmond Mutumbami has been very reliable and was adjudged as the Man of the Match in the previous game for his knock of 74 runs. He has scored 139 runs in the series so far. The return of Sean William, who anchored the first match, has obviously put a positive impact on them.

Bowlers are having very productive series and everyone has been contributing very well. The frontline bowlers, Panyangara, Jongwe, Chisoro and Masakadza have bowled outstandingly and have not looked off color yet in the series. But, Zimbabwe will surely rely on their spinners who have been the main reason for the previous victories in the series. Both the spinners Masakadza and Chisoro have been the standout performers with the ball. Both have 6 wickets to their name in the last three matches.

They would like to continue playing in the same way in the fourth ODI. Zimbabwe must play the upcoming game considering it as as the series decider, only then they can they keep the Afghani players away from levelling the series and dragging the decision until the next match.

Afghanistan:

Afghanistan just lack consistency in their batting line-up. And this is the reason Zimbabwe have been better than them in the series. They have tried shuffling but it has not worked very well. The Afghanistan batsmen have only once shown their capability.

Mohd. Shahzad has got starts but should stay little longer to make an impact with his destructive batting style. The other opener, Zadran has found his rhythm and will hope to continue with that. Skipper Asghar Stanikzai along with Nawroz Mangal and Shamiullah Shenwari will have to step up and score big if they want their team to win the upcoming match. Their form has been the main cause of concern for Afghanistan. Hopefully, Inzi will sort these things out and boost their confidence to produce match-winning innings.

Their bowling has been appreciable. It has not disappointed at all. The fast bowlers bowl with a healthy pace and have not let the Zimbabwean batsmen score freely. But what they lack getting the team early breakthroughs. They must try to put Zimbabwe on the back foot by picking two or three early wickets. Off-spinner Amir Hamza and leggie Rashid Khan are the frontline spinners they have both done reasonably well. The bowlers should understand that Zimbabwe batting order is vulnerable to a slump. Therefore, they should emphasise on striking during the middle overs.

Afghanistan has one last opportunity to save the series and keep the hopes of winning the series alive. They must put their best efforts in the 4th ODI.

The venue of the match is the same. The 4th ODI will be played at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo tomorrow. The weather will be bright and sunny as it was in the previous game. The pitch condition will be same as the venue has not changed. It has assisted both batting and bowling equally. It all depends on the way the teams play.

Last 5 matches –

Zimbabwe-WLWLW

Afghanistan- LLLWL

Probable XI:

Zimbabwe:

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

Afghanistan:

Noor Ali Zadran, Nawroz Mangal, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Asghar Stanikzai (C), Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shenwari, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan Aftab Alam, Dawlat Zadran, Shafiqullah Shafiq.