Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe ODI Predictions – Rashid to put Zimbabwe to the sword again

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 2 hours ago

Simon Lewis 2 hours ago

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Afghanistan completed a 4-0 ODI series victory over Ireland in August.
Zimbabwe thrashed Bangladesh by 99 runs in Saturday’s tri-series opener.
Can Zimbabwe end an eight-year ODI drought against Afghanistan?

Rashid Khan has taken 50 ODI wickets vs Zimbabwe, ave 14.18 (Getty Images).

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Predictions

Afghanistan are backed to win on their return to ODI action. They have the stronger recent record and a formidable spin trio in Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and AM Ghazanfar. Zimbabwe’s 99-run victory over Bangladesh was convincing but negotiating Afghanistan’s middle-overs bowling looks a tougher assignment.

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Predictions
Head-to-Head
Afghanistan Form
Zimbabwe Form
Team News

Afghanistan’s Sediqullah Atal scored 143 & 98 in his last 2 ODIs vs Ireland.
Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran hit 107 in the 4th ODI vs Ireland.
Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan claimed 12 wickets in three ODIs vs Ireland.
Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan has taken 50 ODI wickets vs Zimbabwe (ave 14.18).
Zimbabwe’s Craig Ervine has scored 59, 38, 59 & 93 in his last 4 knocks.
Zimbabwe’s Craig Ervine Brendan Taylor has scored 39 & 81 in his last 3 innings.
Zimbabwe’s Brad Evans has figures of 3/86, 4/47 & 4/45 in his last 3 matches.
Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani has taken 15 ODI wickets vs Afghanistan (ave 21.93).
Afghanistan have won their last five ODIs against Zimbabwe.

Head-to-Head

Afghanistan have won 20 ODIs against Zimbabwe and lost 10, with one match abandoned. Their last five completed clashes all ended in victory for Afghanistan. Their last meeting saw Afghanistan dismiss Zimbabwe for 127 and they went on to win by eight wickets in Harare on 21 December 2024. Two days earlier they had secured a 232-run win. Zimbabwe have not beaten Afghanistan in an ODI since 2018.

Afghanistan Form

Afghanistan’s last five completed ODIs read W-W-W-W-L, including a 4-0 series victory in Ireland. They chased 299 in the final ODI of that series to win by six wickets, with Rahmat Shah unbeaten on 143 and Sediqullah Atal making 98.

Atal scored 143 and Ibrahim Zadran 107 in the previous match, while Rashid took 12 wickets in three appearances across the series.

Zimbabwe Form

Zimbabwe had lost four ODIs on the bounce before their stunning 99-run win over Bangladesh in the tri-series opener. Their impressive win over Bangladesh on Saturday came after recovering from 24/3 thanks to a 150-run stand for the fourth wicket between the in-form Craig Ervine (93) and Brendan Taylor (81).

Zimbabwe ended their 50 overs on 271/8 and went on to roll Bangladesh for 172 off 33.4 overs. Brad Evans continued his incredible form with the ball to take 4/45, making his return 15 wickets in his last five matches. Zim skipper Sikandar Raza also reached 100 ODI wickets in that match in picking up 2/28.

Team News

Rashid Khan and Ibrahim Zadran return after being rested for Afghanistan’s drawn Test against Bangladesh. Zimbabwe are likely to retain the XI that beat Bangladesh in the opening match of the series on Saturday.

The Abu Dhabi surface offered early seam movement and some slow turn in the first ODI but Zimbabwe’s triumph was in keeping with seven of the previous eight ODIs at the ground having been won by the team batting first. Hot and humid conditions are expected.

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

Zimbabwe (possible XI): Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza (c), Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani.

Verdict

Afghanistan v Zimbabwe

Afghanistan are strongly tipped to win despite Zimbabwe’s great start to the tournament. Sediqullah Atal and Craig Ervine among the best of the batting picks while Rashid Khan and Brad Evens are the standout bowlers and are easy choices to back in the match.

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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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