Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe - 1st T20I: Preview

After a hard fought Test series that ended 1-1, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will be resuming their rivalry in the shortest format of the game with the three-match T20I series. The series will get underway on Wednesday (March 12). Afghanistan have dominated the T20Is against Zimbabwe so far and will start the upcoming series as the firm favourites.

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Afghanistan and Zimbabwe's performances in the T20Is in the last couple of years or so have been completely different. While Afghanistan have gone from strength to strength in the shortest format of the game, Zimbabwe have struggled for consistency. Since January 2018, Afghanistan have won a remarkable 16 of their 20 matches. During the same period, Zimbabwe have managed to win just 5 out of 20 T20Is.

Afghanistan will also use the upcoming series as the one to build-up for the two showpiece events coming up this year - Asia Cup and T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe, on the other hand,  will not be participating in the World Cup, having not taken part in the qualifier event since their board was suspended at that time. They will be looking to use the opportunity to show that they are a force to reckon with in the T20Is.

Match info:

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1st T20I: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe

Date: 17 March (Wednesday)

Time: 2:00 PM (local); 3:30 PM IST

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Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Head-to-head record:

Total - 9 | Afghanistan - 8 | Zimbabwe - 1 

Probable playing XIs:

Afghanistan:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Usman Ghani, Karim Janat, Asghar Afghan (capt), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai (wk), Rashid Khan, Naveen Ul Haq, Amir Hamza, Fareed Ahmad.

Zimbabwe:

Prince Masvaure, Kevin Kasuza, Wesley Madhevere, Sean Williams (capt), Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Milton Shumba, Regis Chakabva (wk), Donald Tiripano, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani.

Broadcast Details

All the matches can be streamed live on Fancode in India.