Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2nd Test Predictions - Sharjah set for another runs fest

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 3 hours ago

Simon Lewis 3 hours ago

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Seven centuries lit up the drawn 1st Test opener at Sharjah.
Zimbabwe became the first Test team to pass 500 twice in a Test.
Can either attack find a way through their opponents on what promises to be another flat track?

Craig Ervine scored Craig Ervine 206* in the 1st Test (Getty Images).

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Predictions

The 1st Test at Sharjah ended in a draw after Zimbabwe scored 504 and 523/5 either side of Afghanistan's first innings score of 514. The series decider is on the same pitch so there is a strong chance of a draw, although Afghanistan will be hoping for a lot of spin to come into play.

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

Afghanistan's Rahmat Shah compiled 173 for Afghanistan, with Sediqullah Atal making 105.
Afghanistan's Debutant Rahmanullah Zadran scored 113 in Afghanistan's 514.
Afghanistan's Mohammad Saleem has taken 16 wickets in his last 3 matches.
Zimbabwe's Craig Ervine has scored 59, 93 & 206* in his last 4 knocks.
Zimbabwe's Brendan Taylor scored 131 & 82 in the 1st Test against Afghanistan.
Zimbabwe's Newman Nyamhuri (5/82) knocked over 4 of Afghanistan's top 6 batters.

Head-to-Head

Afghanistan have won two of their last five Tests against Zimbabwe, with two draws and one defeat.

Afghanistan Form

Afghanistan's 1st Test score of 514 in their only innings included three centurions. Rahmat Shah (173 off 347) top-scored with three sixes and 14 fours.

Opener Sediqullah Atal (105 off 213) and Rahmanullah Zadran (113 off 188) added 206 for the second wicket after losing Abdul Malik with the score on 14.

Qais Ahmad and Mohammad Saleem each picked up three wickets in Zimbabwe's first innings, with Zia-ur-Rehman (2/170) picking up two of Zimbabwe's top six. Zia-ur-Rehman added 2/173 in Zimbabwe's second innings, with the visitors ending on 523/5 when the match ended in a draw.

Zimbabwe Form

Zimbabwe created Test history in the 1st Test by scoring over 500 runs in both of their innings as the match ground its way to a high-scoring draw.

Brendan Taylor (131 off 168) and Brian Bennett (128 off 206) added 137 for the third wicket in laying the foundation for a first innings score of 504. Wessly Madhevere chipped in with a 70-ball score of 54. Taylor and Bennett each passed 50 in their second innings, but the stars of the show were Craig Ervine (206* off 279) and Madhevere (100* off 108).

Nyamhuri's maiden five-wicket Test haul provided a rare bowling highlight for Zimbabwe as Afghanistan passed the visitors' score by posting 514 off 169.4. Graeme Cremer sent down. mammoth 55 overs in picking up 3/177.

Team News and Conditions

The second Test is again in Sharjah, where the first pitch gave little assistance to bowlers. Zimbabwe captain Brian Bennett deputises for injured Richard Ngarava; Tanaka Chivanga is also sidelined. Afghanistan's Test squad is led by Rahmat Shah. Selection, pitch and toss may materially change draw prospects.

Afghanistan (possible XI): Rahmanullah Zadran, Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah (c), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ikram Alikhil, Shahidullah Kamal, Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar, Qais Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Zia-ur-Rehman Sharifi.

Zimbabwe (possible XI): Innocent Kaia, Ben Curran, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett (c), Craig Ervine, Antum Naqvi, Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Graeme Cremer, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani.

Verdict

Afghanistan v Zimbabwe

I'm backing another high-scoring draw, but I'm also backing some bowlers to pick up wickets with the likelihood on one lower scoring innings. Look for wickets from Newman Nyamhuri and Mohammad Saleem, while Brian Bennett is a good pick to keep the runs rolling.

Brian Bennett

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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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