Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
Zimbabwe vs UAE 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction. ZIM vs UAE 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction
With IPL 2019 in full swing, and a World Cup fast approaching, the Zimbabwe vs UAE ODI series can be an oversight. However, both sides will be keen for victories, for different reasons.
No disrespect to UAE, but Zimbabwe would have been hoping that they were in a position of World Cup preparation. Instead, they have embarked on a losing run of 13 straight ODI matches, which also included a fatal 3-run loss to UAE that ended their World Cup dream. Now, their two linchpins – Hamilton Masakadza and Brendan Taylor – are out with injuries, heaping the pressure on a side that is out of form but expected to win at home to non-Test playing team.
For UAE, this is an exciting time. It is their first ever bilateral ODI series against a Test playing nation. They have the opportunity to make a mark, sending a message that they are good enough to compete with the lower-ranked Test playing sides. If their excellent tour game is anything to go by, they will give Zimbabwe a real test on their own patch in this series. Can UAE make a great start?
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Key to a Zimbabwe win
Zimbabwe will be missing key players, but they aren’t without experience. Peter Moor, one of the lesser experienced players, will lead the side in Hamilton Masakadza’s absence. An ODI average of 19 in 42 matches is underwhelming for a player who has shown good form in Tests, and will be a key player for Zimbabwe in the middle order. Also, Solomon Mire will likely line up as opener, and the Zimbabweans will be hoping he replicates the kind of form he showed in the T20I Tri-Series against Pakistan and Australia last year. With Sean Williams, Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza three crucial players, Zimbabwe need a strong platform, giving the likes of Elton Chigumbura license to go big.
Also, can Zimbabwe get the better of UAE’s batting? A player to watch out for is Ashfaq Ahmed, who is coming off an excellent 131* vs the Zimbabwe Chairman XI just two days ago. Kyle Jarvis and Tendai Chatara will be key in nullifying his threat, as well as the likes of Ghulam Shabber and Rohan Mustafa. With a number of spin options, Zimbabwe can then look to build pressure on UAE’s middle order in the middle overs. Will it prove to be the case?
Key to a UAE win
There were plenty of positives for UAE in their win over the Zimbabwe Chairman’s XI. Qadeer Ahmed was outstanding, taking 3/32 to hurt the opposition. With Zimbabwe out to make a good start, he and captain Mohammad Naveed will be key in giving UAE a good start with the ball. He had some good support in the likes of Zahoor Khan, Imran Haider and Ashfaq Ahmed, which can give the tourists hope of replicating that sort of form in the ODIs. Can they get into Zimbabwe’s middle order early and cause some panic?
Also, Ashfaq Ahmed will be key. His big score in the tour game has given him crucial time in the middle, which he has to replicate in the ODIs. Overcoming the likes of Kyle Jarvis and Tendai Chatara won’t be easy, so a steady start for UAE is a good one. Ghulam Shabber also showed good form in the tour game, and he will be key at the top. If UAE can set a strong platform for the likes of the more experienced Rohan Mustafa, Muhammad Usman and Shaiman Anwar, they can hope for a good total.
Possible Playing 11
Zimbabwe: 1. Regis Chakabva (wk), 2. Solomon Mire, 3. Craig Ervine/Brian Chari, 4. Sean Williams, 5. Sikandar Raza, 6. Peter Moor (c), 7. Elton Chigumbura, 8. Donald Tiripano/Brendan Mavuta, 9. Kyle Jarvis, 10. Chris Mpofu, 11. Tendai Chatara
UAE: 1. Ashfaq Ahmed, 2. Chirag Suri, 3. Ghulam Shabber (wk), 4. Rohan Mustafa, 5. Shaimam Anwar, 6. Muhammad Usman, 7. Mohammad Boota, 8. Imran Haider, 9. Zahoor Khan, 10. Mohammad Naveed (c), 11. Qadeer Ahmed
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
Option 2:
Stats and Facts
- Zimbabwe have lost their past 13 ODIs.
- UAE beat Zimbabwe to knock them out of World Cup Qualification just over a year ago. Mohammad Naveed was man of the match.
- This is UAE’s first bilateral ODI series vs a Test playing nation.
Match Prediction
UAE will be out to impress. Zimbabwe are without two key players in Masakadza and Taylor.
However, with Zimbabwe still possessing key experience in the form of Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Kyle Jarvis and Craig Ervine, I pick Zimbabwe to win and take a 1-0 series lead.
Thanks for reading!
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