Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Cricket Live Score, 2nd ODI (Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard):
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the 2nd ODI between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Thursday. Craig Ervine won the toss and chose to field first.
With the first game being a washout, both teams hope to get a full game and a result. Azmatullah Omarzai had a breathtaking display under the overcast conditions, and it remains to be seen if he can deliver similar performances today.
Ben Curran, who opened the batting for the hosts, did not have much to say with the bat. Today might be his chance to showcase his talent with a fine batting display.
The weather forecasts suggest that there will be zero chances of precipitation, which is a great sign for both teams who are looking to make their mark in this contest.
Zimbabwe’s Playing XI: Tadiwanashe Marumani, Ben Curran, Dion Myers, Craig Ervine (C), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Brian Bennett, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava, Tinotenda Maposa, Trevor Gwandu.
Afghanistan’s Playing XI: Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil(w), Rashid Khan, Naveed Zadran, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi
LIVE FEED
3.2 – Quick run! Length and on middle. Malik tucks it in front of mid-wicket for a quick single.
3.1 – Length ball, outside off, Malik leaves as the ball moves away late.
2.6 – MAIDEN! Length and on off, Atal blocks it out.
Batsman_1 : Sediqullah Atal 2(12)
Batsman_2 : Abdul Malik 8(6)
Bowler : Richard Ngarava 0/2(2)
Over : 3
Run : 0
Wicket : 0
Score : 10/0
2.5 – Tight bowling from Richard Ngarava! A good length ball, outside off and shapes away. Atal looks to defend across but misses it.
2.3 – Shorter and outside off, Atal shoulders arms to it.
2.4 – Hard length delivery, outside off. Atal leans and punches it to cover.
2.2 – On a good length and around off, Atal presses forward and taps it to point.
2.1 – Bowls it full and outside off. Atal digs it out on the off side.
1.6 – Well outside off, Malik shoulders arms to it.
1.5 – FOUR! Off the inside edge! Trevor Gwandu troubling Malik! Length and outside off, Malik plants his front foot across to defend but inside edges it to the fine leg fence.
1.4 – Goes very full and around off, Malik drives well but to cover.
1.3 – FOUR! OFF THE EDGE!This is full and around fifth stump line. Malik defends with soft hands and edges it just wide of slips to the third man fence.
1.2 – Well short and just outside off, Malik covers his stumps and lets it go.
1.1 – Short in length and outside off, Malik punches it to cover.
Trevor Gwandu to bowl from the other end.
0.6 – Afghanistan are underway! Too full and on the pads. Atal flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
Batsman_1 : Sediqullah Atal 2(6)
Batsman_2 : Abdul Malik 0(0)
Bowler : Richard Ngarava 0/2(1)
Over : 1
Run : 2
Wicket : 0
Score : 2/0
0.5 – Slants it full and around off, Atal defends with soft hands to cover.
0.4 – This is full and around off, not much movement seen. Atal blocks it on the off side.
0.3 – Goes full and around off, Atal prods and punces it to cover.
0.2 – Bowls it slightly short and outside off, Atal leaves it alone again.
0.1 – Richard Ngarava starts with a length ball, outside off, Atal shoulders arms to it.
All set for action. Abdul Malik and Sediqullah Atal to open for Afghanistan. Richard Ngarava to bowl first. Let’s play…
Hashmatullah Shahidi says they need to play good cricket and start well with the bat. Mentions Azmatullah Omarzai bowled well in the first match and hopefully replicate the same today. Informs they are playing the same team.
Craig Ervine says they’ll bowl first as there is some moisture under it and could help the bowlers. Tells Afghanistan bowled well the other day. Informs Blessing Muzarabani misses and Tinotenda Maposa comes in.
Zimbabwe (Playing XI) – Tadiwanashe Marumani, Ben Curran, Dion Myers, Craig Ervine (C), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Brian Bennett, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava, Tinotenda Maposa, Trevor Gwandu.
Afghanistan (Playing XI) – Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (WK), Rashid Khan, Naveed Zadran, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
TOSS – Zimbabwe have won the toss and will BOWL.
Zimbabwe continue to struggle with the bat in this tour and already has a fair share of ideas about what these Afghan boys are capable of. They got away in the first game but to get a result, they really have to step up with the bat. Can they do so in this game? Let’s find out. Toss next.
Hello and welcome to the second game between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. The first game was abandoned due to rain but in the amount of overs that could be played, we saw Afghanistan ripped through Zimbabwe’s batting order as they reduced them down to five inside 10 overs. Afghanistan made the most of the overcast conditions. However, the forecast is clear for the next two ODIs and hopefully, we will get full game of cricket.
After an exciting T20I series, all eyes were on the much-anticipated ODI series between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. However, relentless weather had the final say in the opening game, which was washed out, turning the 3-match series into a potential 2-match showdown. The action stays at the Harare Sports Club, where Zimbabwe will look to bounce back against a confident Afghanistan side, hoping for a fiercely contested encounter. The first ODI offered just 9.2 overs of action before rain intervened, cutting short what was set to be a 28-overs-a-side match. Afghanistan dominated the brief session, making the most of the conditions after sending Zimbabwe into bat. Azmatullah starred with the ball, ripping through Zimbabwe’s top order and leaving them reeling at 41/5. Just as the misery for Zimbabwe deepened, the rain returned, sparing the hosts from what could have been a crushing defeat. Amid the chaos, Ben Curran impressed on his debut, navigating tough conditions. Despite the reprieve provided by the rain, Zimbabwe will need to regroup and rely heavily on experienced campaigners like Dion Myers, Brian Bennett and Craig Ervine to counter Afghanistan’s potent bowling attack. The bowling attack which remains their greatest strength will need to fire on all cylinders to give their team a fighting chance in this must-win encounter. Players like Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava have proven their mettle in the past and will be key to restricting Afghanistan’s powerful lineup. Afghanistan, on the other hand, come into this game riding high on confidence after clinching the T20I series from 1-0 down. The absence of Afghanistan’s explosive wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who has been ruled out of the series due to a Grade 2B quadriceps injury is a big blow to the side but they have enough depth to counter this void. Their bowlers, a formidable force in any conditions, will look to build on the momentum and trouble Zimbabwe once again. The weather forecast for Harare looks promising this time, with no rain interruptions expected. This sets the stage for what should be a thrilling, closely fought-contest.
