Match Preview – Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan( ZIM vs AFG ), Dream11 Prediction, 1st T20I Match. Who Will Win, On October 29, 2025

Match Details:

• Match: Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan( ZIM vs AFG ), 1st T20I Match, Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2025
• Date and Time: October 29,  11:30 pm GMT / 05:00 pm IST / 01:30 pm local time
• Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare

ZIM vs AFG Tips & Match Prediction:

Who will win the toss? – Afghanistan

Who will win the match? – Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Preview:

Zimbabwe( ZIM ) is set to face Afghanistan( AFG ) in their 1st T20I match during the Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2025. This match is scheduled to take place at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday, October 29.

Zimbabwe come into this series riding a wave of confidence after going unbeaten at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Region Final. That dominant run not only boosted morale but also helped them rediscover their rhythm in the shortest format. Now, they face a tougher challenge — maintaining that same energy against a stronger Afghanistan side.

At the top, Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani have struck a fine balance. Bennett has been in sensational touch, smashing 314 runs in just five matches during the qualifiers at a strike rate of 181. His aggressive starts are perfectly balanced by Marumani’s more composed approach, giving Zimbabwe stability in the powerplay.

In the middle order, Brendan Taylor and captain Sikandar Raza bring invaluable experience. Taylor looked in sublime form during the qualifiers, scoring 162 runs in just two innings at an outstanding pace, while Raza continues to anchor the innings and provide that vital finishing touch. Ryan Burl’s cameos down the order have also added quick runs, often lifting the scoring rate just when needed.

With the ball, Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani form a potent new-ball pair. Their ability to generate movement and hit hard lengths early has often disrupted opposition top orders. Raza and Brad Evans add control and variety in the middle overs, combining tight lines with wicket-taking spells to keep pressure on the batting side.

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Afghanistan, on the other hand, enter the series looking to bounce back after a disappointing run of form. They’ve lost five consecutive matches, including a 0–3 series defeat to Bangladesh and an early exit from the Asia Cup. This series offers them a crucial chance to reset and rebuild confidence in T20 cricket.

The Afghan batting lineup has struggled for consistency. Ibrahim Zadran has been their standout performer in 2025, scoring 284 runs in 11 innings at an average of 26 and a strike rate of 118. Rahmanullah Gurbaz continues to provide quick starts but needs to convert them into bigger scores. In the middle order, Darwish Rasooli and Mohammad Ishaq have shown promise, while Mohammad Nabi remains the key finisher — his late-order fireworks could be decisive once again.

Bowling remains Afghanistan’s biggest strength. Rashid Khan leads the attack with 18 wickets in 10 matches at a miserly economy rate of 6.20. Noor Ahmad’s left-arm spin offers another attacking option, while Fareed Ahmad Malik brings clever variations with the ball. With Nabi’s control and experience, Afghanistan’s spin-heavy lineup will look to strangle Zimbabwe’s batting under pressure.

ZIM vs AFG Possible Playing XI:

Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani.

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad Malik.

ZIM vs AFG Recent 5 Match Performance:

ZIM vs AFG Head-To-Head Records:

Stats	Match	ZIM Won	AFG Won	NR	Tied
Overall	18	2	16	0	0
Recent 5 Matches	5	1	4	0	0

ZIM vs AFG Toss Prediction:

We’re hoping the team wins the toss and chooses to bowl first.

ZIM vs AFG Pitch Report:

The pitch at Harare Sports Club, Harare in T20 matches usually offers a balanced contest between bat and ball. Early on, fast bowlers can get some movement off the surface, especially with the new ball, making the powerplay overs crucial for both sides. As the innings progresses, the pitch tends to settle down, allowing batters to play their shots more freely, though the ball can grip slightly for spinners in the later stages. The outfield is quick, rewarding well-timed strokes, but it’s not an easy surface for mindless hitting — batters need to build their innings before accelerating. The average first-innings score here typically ranges between 150 and 170, and totals above 170 are often considered competitive. Teams winning the toss generally prefer to bat first, as chasing under lights can get tricky when the pitch slows down.

ZIM vs AFG Weather Report:

The weather at Harare Sports Club, Harare, on October 29 at 1:30 PM local time is expected to be warm and mostly sunny, creating ideal conditions for cricket. The temperature will hover around 30°C, with occasional light clouds but no threat of rain. Humidity levels will be moderate, and the wind is expected to stay calm, ensuring minimal impact on play. The bright afternoon sunshine should favor batters, allowing for good visibility and consistent bounce off the surface. Overall, spectators can look forward to a clear and pleasant day with no weather interruptions, perfect for an exciting T20 encounter.

Batters to Watch (Recent Form):

Brian Bennett (ZIM) – In red-hot form with 482 runs in his last 10 matches at a staggering strike rate of 172.75, Bennett has been the most explosive batter for Zimbabwe. His ability to dominate the powerplay and accelerate through the middle overs makes him a major threat.

Tadiwanashe Marumani (ZIM) – A consistent top-order performer, Marumani has scored 368 runs in 10 games at an average of 40.89, showing a fine mix of aggression and composure. His steady starts often lay the foundation for Zimbabwe’s big totals.

Sediqullah Atal (AFG) – With 283 runs in 9 matches at a healthy strike rate of 128.05, Atal has been a solid presence at the top for Afghanistan, capable of anchoring the innings while keeping the scoreboard ticking.

Ibrahim Zadran (AFG) – Known for his technical stability, Ibrahim Zadran has added 275 runs in 10 games, and though his strike rate is moderate, his reliability makes him a key figure in Afghanistan’s batting setup.

Bowlers to Watch (Recent Form):

Brad Evans (ZIM) – The standout pacer for Zimbabwe, Evans has bagged 17 wickets in 9 matches with an impressive strike rate of 10.47. His sharp variations and ability to strike early make him a go-to option in the powerplay.

Sikandar Raza (ZIM) – The all-round star continues to deliver with the ball, taking 14 wickets in 10 games at an economy of 5.97. His disciplined spin and experience often turn games in Zimbabwe’s favor.

Rashid Khan (AFG) – The Afghan skipper and world-class spinner has been sensational, claiming 17 wickets in 9 games at a 6.17 economy rate. His knack for breakthroughs in crucial moments keeps batters guessing.

Noor Ahmad (AFG) – The young left-arm spinner has impressed with 11 wickets in 8 matches, maintaining a tight economy of 6.35. His control and clever flight variations make him a key weapon in Afghanistan’s bowling arsenal.

Expected Scores:

1st Innings (Batting First): Score Range: 155 – 175

• The surface provides enough assistance for batters to post a competitive total if they apply themselves.
• Power hitters like Brian Bennett and Sikandar Raza for Zimbabwe, or Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran for Afghanistan, could push the total past 170 if they get going.

2nd Innings (Chasing): Score Range: 145 – 165

• The pitch tends to slow down under the sun, making shot timing slightly tricky in the second innings.
• Spinners like Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Raza could control the middle overs effectively, putting pressure on the chasing side.

Key Notes:

Powerplay Factor: Both teams will look to capitalize early — Zimbabwe’s openers Bennett and Marumani can provide fast starts, while Afghanistan’s bowlers must strike early.

Spin Challenge: Spinners are expected to dominate in the middle overs; Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad could trouble Zimbabwe’s middle order.

Toss Impact: Teams might prefer batting first to make full use of the fresh wicket and avoid batting on a slower surface later.

Game-Changers: All-rounders like Sikandar Raza and Mohammad Nabi (if playing) could influence both innings with their versatility.

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Full Squad:

Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Dion Myers, Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza(c), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Graeme Cremer, Clive Madande, Tony Munyonga

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan(c), Abdullah Ahmadzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Bashir Ahmad, Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Shahidullah Kamal.