Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe ODI Predictions - Rashid to roll Zimbabwe to clinch title

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 29 minutes ago

Simon Lewis 29 minutes ago

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Afghanistan have won six successive ODIs after sweeping Ireland 4-0 and winning twice in this tri-series.
Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by 99 runs but lost to Afghanistan by 158 runs on Monday.
Can Rashid Khan and Afghanistan repeat that emphatic victory to secure the tri-series trophy?

Rashid Khan has taken 4 wickets in both of his matches in the tri-series (Getty Images).

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Predictions - Tri-Series Final

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Predictions - Tri-Series Final
Head-to-Head
Afghanistan Form
Zimbabwe Form
Team News

Afghanistan are backed to win Friday's final. They have been substantially stronger in both disciplines, with Rashid Khan taking eight wickets in two tri-series matches and their top order supplying decisive runs. Zimbabwe have the experience to respond but their recent difficulty against Afghanistan's spin attack makes them outsiders.

• Afghanistan's Sediqullah Atal scored 102 off 110 balls vs Zimbabwe.

• Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran struck 90 vs Zimbabwe & 34 vs Bangladesh.

• Afghanistan's Rashid Khan returned 4/17 vs Zimbabwe & 4/31 vs Bangladesh.

• Zimbabwe's Craig Ervine has scored 59, 38, 59 & 93 in his last 4 knocks.

• Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza scored 48 from 80 balls vs Afghanistan.

• Zimbabwe's Brad Evans took 4/45 vs Bangladesh & 3/48 vs Afghanistan.

• Zimbabwe's Brad Evans has taken 14 wickets in his last 4 innings.

• Zimbabwe have lost their last 4 ODIs vs Afghanistan.

Head-to-Head

Afghanistan have won 21 ODIs against Zimbabwe, with Zimbabwe winning 10 and one match being abandoned. Zimbabwe have not beaten Afghanistan in this format since 2018, with their latest meeting resulting in a 158-run win for Afghanistan on Monday after Zimbabwe were dismissed for 136 chasing 295.

Afghanistan Form

Afghanistan have won six successive completed ODIs, including a 4-0 sweep in Ireland. They began this tournament by scoring 294 against Zimbabwe, thanks to Atal's 102 and Ibrahim Zadran's 90 before Rashid took 4/17 in the 158-run rout.

Against Bangladesh Rashid followed up with figures of 4/31 as Afghanistan chased 161 with seven wickets and 14.3 overs to spare. Rahmat Shah made an unbeaten 67 and Hashmatullah Shahidi finished on 36 not out.

Zimbabwe Form

Zimbabwe opened the tri-series with a 99-run victory over Bangladesh, recovering from 24/3 through a 150-run partnership between Ervine (93) and Taylor (81) to reach 271/8. Evans then claimed 4/45 to round off the win.

Against Afghanistan they collapsed for just 136 despite Raza's 80-ball score of 48. Evans and Ernest Masuku each took three wickets in that defeat and Zimbabwe will need a far better response from their batters to Afghanistan's spin attack.

Team News

Afghanistan are likely to retain Wednesday's winning combination, although Fazalhaq Farooqi is an option after taking 2/15 in the first meeting with Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe must decide whether to recall Ervine, who scored 93 against Bangladesh but was absent from Monday's XI. Richard Ngarava is sidelined with a back injury.

The Sharjah surface may assist spin as the match progresses which should make batting first the attractive option for both skippers.

Afghanistan (possible XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah (c), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Yamin Ahmadzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Zimbabwe (possible XI): Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Ernest Masuku, Blessing Muzarabani.

Verdict

Afghanistan v Zimbabwe

Afghanistan have dominated the short series and with their strong win record over Zimbabwe they are the easy side to back for the win.

Atal and Ibrahim Zadran are strong batting candidates for Afghanistan while Rashid is the leading bowler to back. Zimbabwe's best chances of outperforming expectations appear to be through Sikandar Raza, Craig Ervine and Brad Evans.

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Simon is a talented sports writer in South Africa with a strong focus on cricket having played first-team level for UCT, including playing at two Universities Weeks.

From a young age Simon was an avid reader of cricket magazines and books, and went on to be Editor of The Googly, CricketScene SA and SA Cricket, in addition to being a Features Writer on SA Sports Illustrated.

He has interviewed most of South Africa's premier cricketers and was the first writer to interview a teenaged Jacques Kallis.

Simon has also written about English and local football, rugby and cricket, in addition to major international tennis and golf stars and competitions.

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