High-flying Afghanistan will be eyeing another impressive win when they face Zimbabwe in the third and final ODI of the ongoing three-match series. The game is scheduled to take place at the Harare Sports Club, Harare.
High-flying Afghans will look to come up with another solid performance after their thumping victory in the second ODI. The Afghans thrashed Zimbabwe by 232 runs to take an unassailable lead in the series.
After rain denied them a chance to win the first ODI, the Afghans completely outplayed Zimbabwe in the second game. Batting first, the visitors scored 286/6 in 50 overs with Sediqullah Atal scoring 104 and Abdul Malik scoring 84.
In reply, Zimbabwe proved absolutely no match for the Afghan bowlers as the hosts were bowled out for just 54 runs inside 18 overs. AM Ghazanfar and Naveed Zadran impressed with the ball, taking three wickets each. Ahead of the third ODI, we are taking a look at the Zimbabwe Playing 11.
Afghanistan Playing 11 vs Zimbabwe – 3rd ODI, Afghanistan Tour of Zimbabwe 2024
Openers: Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik
Sediqullah Atal and Abdul Malik laid the foundation for the Afghan victory in the previous game and will be eyeing a similar performance in the upcoming ODI. The Afghanistan openers shared a mammoth 191-run stand for the opening wicket to give their team a solid start.
Atal was the pick of the Afghan batters as he played a brilliant knock of 104 runs. Malik had a fine outing with the bat as well, scoring 84 runs.
Middle-order batsmen and allrounders: Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (wk)
After the openers’ strong display, Afghanistan’s middle-order could not make an impact with the bat. Azmatullah Omarzai was out for just 5 while Rahmat Shah departed for 1. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi scored an unbeaten 29 while Mohammad Nabi scored 18. Ikram Alikhil scored 5 runs.
With the ball, Omarzai picked up a wicket. Even in the washed-out first ODI, Omarzai had made a huge impact with the ball. He had picked up 4 wickets for just 18 runs in less than 5 overs before rain ended the proceedings.
Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Naveed Zadran, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Following the strong display in the second ODI, the bowling lineup is set to remain the same in the Afghanistan Playing 11 for the upcoming game. AM Ghazanfar and Naveed Zadran were the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets each. Fazalhaq Farooqi picked up 2 wickets while Rashid Khan did not even bowl.
