Cricket

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 3rd T20 Preview & Tips - Afghanistan to wrap up 3-0 T20 series win over Zimbabwe

By Ben Darvill

3 hours ago

Ben Darvill 3 hours ago

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Afghanistan lead the three-match series 2-0 after two games
Sikandar Raza scored 106 not out for Zimbabwe in the second T20
Preview, stats & head to head

Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran (Getty Images)

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 3rd T20 Preview & Tips
Head To Head
Afghanistan Form
Zimbabwe Form

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 3rd T20 Preview & Tips

Afghanistan were able to secure a hard-earned 19-run win over Zimbabwe in the second T20 as they secured the series with one game to play.

Zimbabwe were brave in their chase of 222 to win as they ultimately fell short despite posting an impressive 202/5.

Sikandar Raza scored 106 not out for Zimbabwe in the second T20

Head To Head

Afghanistan have won nine of their last 10 T20's against Zimbabwe with the latter winning once in this time.

Afghanistan Form

Afghanistan bounced back in stunning style in the second T20 against Zimbabwe, although they would have been worrying that their score of 221/7 might not have been enough as Zimbabwe's captain Sikandar Raza (106) refused to depart.

Setting a total, Afghanistan found a way to bounce back from crumbling to 5/4 as four of their top five were dismissed for ducks. Azmatullah Omarzai's brilliant 116 from 50 saw Afghanistan storm to 221/7 in stunning style as they posted a very competitive score.

With the ball, Afghanistan took regular wickets up until the 10th over as they restricted their opponents to 82/5. However, the next 10 overs failed to result in another wicket as Sikandar Raza (106 not out) and Tafadzwa Tsiga (31 not out) combined to give Zimbabwe hope.

On another day, Afghanistan would have slumped to a crushing defeat had it not been for the exploits of their number six batter. His exceptional knock ensured that Afghanistan have had the pressure taken off them heading into the third and final T20, and I predict that this will prove crucial in the third T20 as Afghanistan play with some real freedom and secure a 3-0 series win.

Zimbabwe Form

It was a case of what could have been for Zimbabwe in the second T20 after some exceptional batting and bowling meant little as the series was ended as a contest.

With Afghanistan at 5/4 and 38/5, Zimbabwe needed to find a way to take advantage and bowl their opponents out for less than 100. However, their inability to remove an inspired Omarzai saw Zimbabwe given an improbable 222 to win.

While they made a good show in their chase, the fact Afghanistan took regular wickets stunted a lot of their momentum. Ultimately, despite the heroics of their captain, they were unable to secure a statement win.

The third T20 constitutes their final chance to get on the board in the series, but I do not predict that they will get the win they desire. Afghanistan are the better of the two sides and even when they were on the canvas, they still managed to regain their footing and deliver a knockout blow. I back Sikandar Raza to build on his excellent score in the second T20, but I do not believe it will be enough.

Verdict

Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 3rd T20

I am backing Afghanistan to secure a 3-0 series win over Zimbabwe despite more impressive batting from Sikandar Raza.

Afghanistan

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Raza 30+ Runs

Batter Milestones

@-111.11 - 1 Unit