Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2021, 2nd Test: Match Preview And Prediction

The second or last game of the Test series between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will begin this Wednesday (10th March) morning at which will be played at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium (Abu Dhabi).

Zimbabwe are currently leading this series by 1-0. In the first game of this Test series, they really dominated as they won that Test by 10 wickets, which was their first Test victory since November 2018.

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2021, 2nd Test: Match Preview

Afghanistan

In the first Test of this series, Afghanistan batsmen totally failed to impress while their bowlers nothing had to do much to change the condition of the game.

Ibrahim Zadran’s batting was their only good batting story in the last game where the opener scored 31 runs off 41 balls (5 fours) and 76 runs off 145 balls (10 fours). In the first innings, Afsar Zazai was their only other batsman to score 20+ runs as he scored the highest runs in that innings (37). Meanwhile, Amir Hamza was the other 20+ run-scorer in their second innings of that game who was not out on 21 runs.

Amir Hamza also took 6 wickets during Zimbabwe’s first innings in that game as he had bowling figures of 25-3-75-6. Zahir Khan (2/81) also took two wickets in that same innings. While the bowlers had limited options to make the game better challenging, they bowled really well.

Full Squad

Asghar Afghan (C), Ibrahim Zadran, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afsar Zazai, Nasir Jamal, Abdul Malik, Munir Ahmad Kakar, Shahidullah Kamal, Bahir Shah Mohboob, Rashid Khan, Amir Hamza, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Saleem Safi, Wafadar Momand, Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, Yamin Ahmadzai

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe claimed a dominant victory in this Test series opener as their bowlers totally dominated while some of their batsmen played really well. They now have the great opportunity to finish their almost 10-year long-wait to enjoy a Test series victory as they last time won a Test series in August 2011 when Bangladesh toured in their country. Since then, Zimbabwe have already played 16 Test series where they drew three series and lost the other 13 series.

Among their bowlers, Blessing Muzarabani got six wickets (4/48 & 2/14), Victor Nyauchi picked up six wickets (3/34 & 3/30) and Donald Tiripano collected four wickets (1/24 & 3/23) in that Test match.

Though their top-order batsmen hugely struggled captain Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza handled the situation at the right time. After Raza was dismissed for 43 runs, wicket-keeper batsman Regis Chakabva’s support to skipper Williams assured their 100+ lead in the first innings. Williams scored a brilliant century in their first innings as he scored 105 runs off 174 balls (10 fours) while Chakabva played the crucial knock of 44 runs.

Full Squad

Sean Williams (C), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva, Kevin Kasuza, Wessely Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Brandon Mavuta, Tarisai Musakanda, Richmond Mutumbami, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Donald Tiripano

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2021, 2nd Test: Match Prediction

Zimbabwe are really the favourite for the upcoming Test, who claimed a completely dominant victory in this Test series opener. Afghanistan need huge improvement in their batting to make a comeback in this Test series.