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AFG vs ZIM 2nd T20I Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | AFG vs ZIM 2nd T20I Dream11 Prediction Today | Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2nd T20I Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report

After taking a 1-0 lead in the series, Skipper Asghar Afghan will be leading his team in his 50th T20I match as Captain against Zimbabwe in the 2nd T20I at Abu Dhabi on Friday. The Afghan Players will be determined to win the series and give a perfect tribute to their Skipper who has been the main pillar for the rise of Afghanistan Cricket.

In the first T20I, Gurbaz took Zimbabwe’s attack apart right from the word go and scored a brilliant 87 off 45 balls. He fell short by 13 runs of what would have been a magnificent T20I Century for him.

Afghanistan also made some changes by sending Karim Janat to open the batting instead of their regular opener Usman Ghani. It turned out to be a masterstroke. Janat grabbed the opportunity and contributed with both bat & ball by scoring 22 runs and also taking 2 vital wickets.

Skipper Afghan also continued his good form, and scored a 38-ball 55, which helped his side put a mammoth total of 198 runs which was always going to be a big ask for Zimbabwe. 

On the other hand, Zimbabwe lost their sixth consecutive T20I and could only manage 150 runs in their 20 overs. Their Opener Kamunhukamwe (44 of 37 balls) was the top scorer from their camp. There were points in the match where the team had an equal chance of winning but the visitors lacked the much-needed intent with the bat. They will need to bring out their spirited performances to showcase their worth against this experienced Afghanistan team.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Afghanistan:

• Rashid Khan –  Khan showed his class again with the ball and bamboozled The Chevrons by picking 3 wickets for conceding 28 runs in his 4 overs. He is now 3 wickets away from becoming the seventh man (and fourth spinner) to take 350 wickets in the format. He remains a default pick in this match and a good option of C/VC.
• Asghar Afghan –  In a surprising move Afghan came into bat no.3 and looked good in his 38-ball 55.  He also averages 27 while batting at no.3 in the first innings which is slightly higher than his career average of 24. He will be eyeing another match-winning knock for his side on his 50th Match as a Captain.
• Rahmatullah Gurbaz –  Gurbaz continues his steep rise in International Cricket by playing another blinder of 87 of 45 balls. He is in the form of his life and rightly so he has been picked by a massive 97% of Dream11 users. He remains a Top Pick in this match alongside Rashid Khan.
• Karam Janat – The Fantasy Value of Janat has significantly increased after he came to open the innings and his ability with the bowl cannot be ignored. He made 22 runs and also took 2 vital wickets in the first T20I.
• Naveen-ul-Haq– Haq did not get any wickets in the game but he was decent with the ball. He bowled only 3 overs (1, 3 and 13th), as he was playing after a break and will look to get this rhythm and be back among the wickets.  He will be a good pick in Grand Leagues.
• Fawad Malik was seen bowling at the death and we all know how late-over wickets impact the game.

Zimbabwe:

• Sean Williams –  Captain Williams has a lot to do to lift his team. Like his Afghani Counterpart, he also came to bat at no. 3 ahead of Madhwere and score 22 runs off 20 balls in the first T20I.
• His numbers batting at no. 3 are quite impressive.  He has played 6 innings at no.3 and made 181 runs at an average of 36.2 which is way above his career average of 23.79. With his all-around ability, he can be tried as C/VC in Grand leagues along with Rashid, Gurbaz, and Asghar.
• Donald Tiripano – At time of writing, Tiripano would be celebrating his 32nd birthday today, he did not get any wickets in the match but a couple of catches were dropped off his bowling. He can pick wickets and he is also handy with the bat so he is worth a spot in 1-2 Grand League Teams.
• Sikandar Raza –  Raza made 22 runs off 14 balls in the first match and did not get any wickets. He bowled 2 overs (1,9). He can contribute with both bat & ball and worth a spot in most of the Grand League Teams.
• Blessing Muzarabani – Muzarabani continued his wicket-taking form and got 2 wickets in the first match. He bowled 3, 6, 18 & 20th over and will be a crucial pick again.
• Wesley Madhwere –  Captain Williams did not show any confidence in Young Madhwere. He was not tried with the ball and was demoted in the batting order as well which makes him a very risky option. Probably Ryan Burl should be tried ahead of him in Fantasy Teams as he bowled 3 overs and picked 1 Wicket. He also came to bat no.5 
• Tinashe Kamunhukamwe scored (44 of 37 balls) and has the reputation of hard-hitter in the Zimbabwe domestic circuit. 

Stats & Facts

• Zimbabwe has lost their last six T20Is in a row.
• Asghar Afghan will be playing his 50th match as a captain.
• Najibullah Zadran is 14 runs away from 1000 T20I runs
• Rashid is 3 wickets away from becoming the seventh man (and fourth spinner) to take 350 wickets in the format

Predicted Playing 11

Afghanistan Predicted XI: 1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2. Karim Janat, 3. Asghar Afghan (c), 4. Usman Ghani, 5. Hashmatullah Shahidi, 6. Najibullah Zadran, 7. Mohammad Nabi, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Amir Hamza, 10. Naveen-ul-Haq, 11. Fareed Malik

Zimbabwe Predicted XI: 1. Tarisai Musakanda, 2. Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, 3. Sean Williams (c), 4. Sikandar Raza, 5. Richmond Mutumbami (wk), 6. Ryan Burl, 7. Wesley Madhevere, 8. Donald Tiripano, 9. Brandon Mavuta, 10. Blessing Muzarabani, 11. Richard Ngarava

Abu Dhabi Pitch Report and Conditions

The pitch at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium will be one where both the batsmen as well as the bowlers will be interested. Batsmen will have to bide their time on this surface to score big. Gurbaz in Post Match Conference said that ” I think the wicket was good for batting and a little bit dead for the spinners”.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Afghanistan’s great record against Zimbabwe should hold them in good stead here. Plus, their knowledge of the UAE will make them hard to beat. Afghanistan will look to seal the series.

Thanks for Reading!

Written by Shekhar Singh. Follow Shekhar on Twitter today.