Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey

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

Soon after the third India vs England Test ended in less than two days, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe followed suit in the swiftly-concluded Test last week.

And what a game for Zimbabwe. Led by the seamers and Sean Williams, the Zimbabweans dismantled Afghanistan for their first Test victory since 2018, and first against a side other than Bangladesh since 2013. Now, the challenge will be to repeat it. Not since 1998 have Zimbabwe won consecutive Tests, and a great opportunity awaits here.

However, the return of Rashid Khan will bolster Afghanistan’s hopes. But, for the Afghans to bounce back here, they must show much greater fight and resistance with the bat, after flirting with deliveries outside their off-stump on numerous occasions in the first Test. As they are still learning their trade in the game’s longest format, how quickly will they learn from their errors from the opening game?

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Afghanistan:

• Ibrahim Zadran impressed again. In fact, he scored 40% of Afghanistan’s runs in the first Test, displaying the patience and technique that his teammates lacked (31 and 76).
• A quiet Test from Rahmat Shah did Afghanistan no favours. Can Afghanistan’s leading Test run-scorer (304) bounce back?
• Asghar Afghan must lead from the front. The skipper has three half-centuries to his name in five Tests. He has the second-most runs for Afghanistan in Tests (276).
• The return of Rashid Khan can be game-changing. His ability to turn the ball both ways at speed will be a test for Zimbabwe. Rashid has 23 wickets in his four Tests to date.
• His spin partner, Amir Hamza continued his consistency in FC cricket. He has two five-fors in two Tests, to go with 86 wickets in 15 First Class matches at an average of 20.59.

Zimbabwe:

• After his superb century in the first Test, Sean Williams now averages 40.14 in four Tests in Asia. The Zimbabwe captain will be key again.
• Sikandar Raza and Regis Chakabva both looked good with the bat in the first Test. They each scored 40+ in a low-scoring Test, and contributed with their other disciplines (bowling and wicket-keeping respectively).
• How good was Blessing Muzarabani? The tall Zimbabwe seamer extracted disconcerting bounce, taking match figures of 6/62 in 20 overs.
• Victor Nyauchi also took six wickets (6/64 off 17 overs). His focus on seam movement worked a charm.

Stats and Facts

• Zimbabwe have not won a Test series (consisting of more than one Test) since 2004.
• Ibrahim Zadran has a Test average of 42.50 after three Tests (255 runs).
• After winning two of their first three Tests, Afghanistan have lost their last two (vs West Indies and Zimbabwe).

Possible Playing 11

Afghanistan: 1. Ibrahim Zadran, 2. Abdul Malik, 3. Rahmat Shah, 4. Munir Ahmad 5. Asghar Afghan (c), 6. Hashmatullah Shahidi 7. Afsar Zazai (wk), 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Amir Hamza, 10. Yamin Ahmadzai, 11. Zahir Khan/Fazalhaq Farooqi

Zimbabwe: 1. Prince Masvaure, 2. Kevin Kasuza, 3. Tarisai Musakanda, 4. Sean Williams (c), 5. Wesley Madhevere, 6. Sikandar Raza, 7. Ryan Burl, 8. Regis Chakabva (wk), 9. Donald Tiripano, 10. Blessing Muzarabani, 11. Victor Nyauchi

Abu Dhabi Pitch Report and Weather

According to reports, there is less grass on the Abu Dhabi pitch ahead of the second Test. This, along with the hot weather, could bring the spinners into the game earlier.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Zimbabwe are favourites, but the addition of Rashid Khan could be game-changing. Both sides look frail with the bat, so the experienced batsmen must step up for victory.

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