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3 Australian players who must step up to win T20 series vs NZ

Charbel Coorey

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March 2, 2021 at 5:26 pm

3 Australian players who must step up to win T20 series vs NZ | 3 Australian players who must step up to come back from 0-2 down

With a T20 World Cup just months away, Australia still look unsure of their best combinations. The batting lineup is full of top order specialists, and the bowling attack is yet to deliver for the full 20 overs in the current series against New Zealand.

As a result, they sit 0-2 down in the five-match series, and the Black Caps are looking an all-round better side than Australia right now. With a limited number of matches scheduled until the T20 World Cup in India, these last three matches in New Zealand look even more crucial. The absence of crowds in Wellington due to a community outbreak of COVID-19 in Auckland could be an advantage for Australia, but for them to gain confidence and bounce back in the current series, three key players must step up to help turn things around.

Aaron Finch

Australian skipper Aaron Finch went through a similar form slump at the turn of 2019. Ahead of the 2019 ODI World Cup, questions were asked about whether Finch even makes the Australian side’s best XI as David Warner was set to return from his 12-month ban.

Fast forward two years later, and Finch finds himself in a similar position. His struggles in BBL 10 have crept into the international circuit, and Finch will have to dig deep to turn things around as he managed to do two years ago. T20 is such a format that one or two big blows can see a spike in confidence, and that is what the Australians will be hoping for in the remainder of this series.

Glenn Maxwell

3 Australian players who must step up to win T20 series vs NZ | 3 Australian players who must step up to come back from 0-2 down — 3 Australian players who must step up to win T20 series vs NZ: Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell continues to land the big IPL contracts because of the potential he possesses. After a superb limited-overs series against India, Maxwell then had an indifferent BBL campaign followed by two low scores in this series. This has increased the spotlight on the hard-hitting batsman, who went for another mammoth price in the IPL Auction.

Given Australia’s middle order contains a number of top order specialists, the contribution of Maxwell is crucial to Australia’s hopes; not only for the remainder of this series, but also for the T20 World Cup. He will continue to take risks – as he should – but needs to ensure that they are as calculated as possible.

Kane Richardson

If Australia are to achieve glory for the first time at a T20 World Cup, as well as bounce back vs New Zealand, their death bowling needs to improve. The continued rotation of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, owing to a busy calendar, means that the next crop of bowlers must deliver.

Kane Richardson has regularly been touted as a death over specialist. However, he hasn’t been at his best in recent times, and is going at 10.62 runs per over this series. In their last three losses, Australia have conceded 54 in the last 4.4 overs vs India, 66 in the last five overs vs New Zealand and then 55 runs in the second game of the five-match series.

With Daniel Sams really struggling at the death in international cricket (whopping 93 runs in 5.4 overs), Richardson needs to lead the way to ensure Australia don’t let the game slip away at this stage.

One feels that if these three players perform, others can follow and Australia look a much better side. If they’re struggling, then they have a lot of catching up to do.

AFG vs ZIM 1st Test Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

Charbel Coorey

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March 2, 2021 at 12:19 pm

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AFG vs ZIM 1st Test Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | AFG vs ZIM 1st Test Dream11 Prediction | Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 1st Test Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report

In a world where the top sides play each other so often that inequality on the Test circuit exists, a new rivalry has the chance to develop in the game’s most traditional format. Both teams are looking to make gains amid limited opportunities, but the stories of Afghanistan and Zimbabwe are quite the contrast over the past 15 years.

After the glory days of the late 1990s and early 2000s, Zimbabwe went into Test exile from 2005 to 2011, with financial and political issues continuing to hamper the country’s cricketing prospects. During that period, Afghanistan won the ICC World Cricket League Division Five in 2008, defeating Jersey in the Final. In contrast to Zimbabwe’s decline, Afghanistan’s rise has been heartening, with two Test victories to their name and a number of T20 stars around the world, 13 years later.

So, in this intriguing Test series, who will hold their nerve better? Can Zimbabwe, who won’t have to deal with Rashid Khan in this Test due to injury, display the patience and grit required to win in the UAE? Or will Afghanistan have too much know-how in these conditions, even without Rashid Khan?

AFG vs ZIM 1st Test Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | AFG vs ZIM 1st Test Dream11 Prediction | Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 1st Test Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report — AFG vs ZIM 1st Test Dream11 Prediction: Will Zimbabwe enjoy success in the UAE?

Where can you watch the Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Test series?

RTA Sport – Afghanistan
Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) TV – Zimbabwe
Freesports – UK/Europe
FanCode – India (Live Streaming)
Rabbithole YouTube Channel – Rest of the World

Here is the list of official broadcasters for the #AbuDhabiSunshine Test series! #AFGvZIM pic.twitter.com/hN8rcuoUm6
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) March 1, 2021

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Afghanistan:

Rahmat Shah is undoubtedly Afghanistan’s most solid batsman. He is the only Afghan with a Test century, and comes into this series off the back of an ODI century against Ireland in January.
19-year old Ibrahim Zadran faced 388 balls in his first two Test matches, back in 2019. If he shows that same application here, he has the potential to score big.
Asghar Afghan is Afganistan’s Test captain once again. He has scored three half-centuries in four Tests, and is only behind Rahmat for the most Test runs for Afghanistan (249, avg. 35.57).
Expect Yamin Ahmadzai to bang away on a good length throughout the series. He has 10 wickets in his four Tests, only behind Rashid Khan for most wickets for Afghanistan.
Amir Hamza, who took 5/79 on Test debut vs West Indies, has a superb First Class record. The left-arm orthodox spinner has 80 wickets in 14 FC matches at a superb average of 21.06. Key player.

Zimbabwe:

The absence of Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine puts the onus on Sean Williams to perform. The skipper has the third-most Test runs of any Zimbabwe squad member (770, avg. 33.47). He will want to improve on his numbers in Asia (176 runs, avg. 29.33).
Prince Masvaure has the potential to set a platform for Zimbabwe. He has faced 695 balls in his five Tests to date, with two half-centuries.
Tarisai Musakanda was in superb form in Zimbabwe’s recent Regional Games in January. He scored 111 and 125 in two matches, as well as 108 in a First Class game in December.
Sikandar Raza averages 36.92 with the bat in Asia (7 Tests, 517 runs). Also, he has 32 wickets to his name in his 15-Test career, but will be looking to improve on his bowling average of 58.30 in Asia.
Blessing Muzarabani is set to play his first Test since returning to the Zimbabwe team. The tall pacer can extract some bounce off the placid Abu Dhabi surface. He and the spinners, namely Brandon Mavuta, will be key.

Stats and Facts

This will be the first ever meeting between the two teams in Tests. Afghanistan and Zimbabwe have played in 25 ODIs, where Afghanistan have won 15. In nine T20Is, Afghanistan have won eight.
Both Afghanistan and Zimbabwe have never played a Test at Abu Dhabi.
Zimbabwe’s 15-man squad has more than double the First Class matches than Afghanistan’s 19-strong squad. Zimbabwe’s players have featured in 747 first-class matches while Afghanistan have played in just 356.

Possible Playing 11

Afghanistan: 1. Ibrahim Zadran, 2. Javed Ahmadi, 3. Rahmat Shah, 4. Hashmatullah Shahidi, 5. Asghar Afghan (c), 6. Nasir Jamal, 7. Afsar Zazai (wk), 8. Mohammed Saleem/Zahir Khan, 9. Amir Hamza 10. Yamin Ahmadzai 11. Sayed Shirzad

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

Sheikh Zayed Stadium Abu Dhabi Pitch Report and Weather

The Abu Dhabi track is usually placid for the first few days, before it takes more turn in the final stages of the match. This ground has played host to matches that have exploded into life in the final couple of days, as the pitch wears more. The average 1st inns (match) score is 364, and the team batting 2nd has won just once in Abu Dhabi (D4, L8).

It is winter in the UAE, but temperatures will hover around 30 degrees with total sunshine. So, expect the pitch to take more spin as the game goes on.

Dream11 Prediction

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Match Prediction

Afghanistan in these conditions, even without Rashid Khan, look tough for Zimbabwe to beat. The absence of Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine could be more damaging for Zimbabwe than Rashid Khan for Afghanistan.

PSL 2021 Match 12: QUE vs ISL Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

Shekhar Singh

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March 1, 2021 at 10:10 pm

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PSL 2021 Match 12: QUE vs ISL Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | QUE vs ISL Dream11 Prediction Today | Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United Key Players | Karachi Pitch Report

Quetta Gladiators will be taking on Islamabad United for the 12th league match of PSL 2021.

After three losses in a row, Gladiators would be looking for their first win for the tournament when they face United. Skipper Sarfraz has led from he is also the highest run-scorer for them but their death bowling has costed them heavily. Hasnain, who has been their best bowler, has just managed to pick 3 wickets in as many matches.

On the other hand, United batting collapsed against Zalmi and got bowled out for 114. In less than 24 hours of time-frame, Wahaz Riaz went from his worst T20 performance to achieving his best figures (17/4). That’s how the game of cricket works; not every day is your day.

In the past, Gladiators have dominated against United and have won 7 times out of 11, so it would be the perfect opportunity for Sarfraz’s men to open their account and build some momentum from here on.

PSL 2021 Match 12: QUE vs ISL Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | QUE vs ISL Dream11 Prediction Today | Karachi Pitch Report — PSL 2021 Match 12: QUE vs ISL Dream11 Prediction: Sarfaraz will be key.