The first One Day International (ODI) of the bilateral series between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will be played on February 16 at the Harare Sports in Harare. Earlier both the teams have Played a total of 10 ODI games. By virtue of them being the two most promising teams among the so-called minnows, there’s bound to be a needle of competition. Viewers in Afghanistan can watch this match live on 1TV broadcast while the Zimbabwe citizens can watch it live on DSTV.
Afghanistan have always dominated whenever they have faced Zimbabwe. Afghanistan have also sent Zimbabwe back home from the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 to reach in Super 10 stage. While Zimbabwe last played an ODI against West Indies and Sri Lanka, hosting them for the tri-nation series. Zimbabwe beat West Indies to reach the final, eventually losing the final to Sri Lanka.
The five-match series, which will be played over the course of 11 days at the Harare Sports Club, provides Zimbabwe with an opportunity for redemption. There’s the added incentive of the ODI rankings as well, and a series win will help Zimbabwe overtake Afghanistan for a place in the top ten too. However, that will require a drastic turnaround in current form.
Afghanistan may have gone down recently against Bangladesh and Ireland, but it wasn’t without a fight. The last 2-3 years have been a tremendous demonstration of how far this team has come. What it has also done is that it has inspired many others, thus providing a steady pool of talent.
Teams:
Afghanistan (From): Mohammad Shahzad(w), Rahmat Shah, Asghar Stanikzai(c), Noor Ali Zadran, Ihsanullah Janat, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Samiullah Shenwari, Najibullah Zadran, Dawlat Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Fareed Ahmad, Aftab Alam
Zimbabwe (From): Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer(c), Peter Moor(w), Tarisai Musakanda, Sikandar Raza, Malcolm Waller, Nathan Waller, Elton Chigumbura, Wellington Masakadza, Donald Tiripano, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Solomon Mire, Richard Ngarava, Carl Mumba
