Afghanistan aim to maintain ascendancy as format changes
Overview
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, 2nd T20I
Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur
Saturday, 14 September, 06:30pm local, 12:30pm GMT
Afghanistan registered a thumping 224-run win in the only Test against the hosts, thanks to an inspirational all-round performance from their newly appointed skipper Rashid Khan. They now return to their most preferred format, T20 cricket, wherein they have a 69 per cent win record from 71 games and have won each of their last ten matches.
With the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2020 in sight, Rashid will hope his players to maintain consistency as Afghanistan look to build up a solid core before the mega event.
Afghanistan all-rounder @MohammadNabi007, who made his final Test appearance in the #BANvAFG one-off match, said he is proud of his team's progress in the longest format.https://t.co/IqB8fTuJCf
— ICC (@ICC) September 10, 2019
Zimbabwe will be looking to bounce back after defeat in the first game of the series to Bangladesh, though in Ryan Burl's half-century and impressive new-ball spells from Tendai Chatara and Kyle Jarvis, they at least have something to build on.
Remember the last time:
Afghanistan maintain a 100% win record against Zimbabwe, having won each of the seven T20Is played between the two sides. When they last met in February 2018, the second game of the two-match series played in Sharjah, Mohammad Nabi's all-round performance (45 runs and 1/24 in three overs), powered Afghanistan to a comprehensive 17-run win which helped them seal the series 2-0.
🚨Bangladesh win! 🚨
— ICC (@ICC) September 13, 2019
At 60/6 they looked in all sorts of trouble but Afif Hossain hit his maiden T20I half-century in just his second game and Mosaddek Hossain 30* as the pair added 82 for the seventh wicket 👏
Final scorecard ➡️ https://t.co/31dBmhs6pe pic.twitter.com/hGuNyuUb16
What they said:
Hamilton Masakadza, Zimbabwe captain: "The first and main thing for players is to concentrate on cricket and then put our best foot forward going out and do your job for your country. Though I know both sides are very strong, we have a lot of successes in Twenty20 cricket here. So I don't think we are far behind them at all."
**Rashid Khan, Afghanistan captain:**We had the best preparation for the Test and it was challenging for the batsmen, they applied themselves. The focus now shifts to the T20 series and we'll try our best to keep enjoying the format.
Conditions:
After having halted the proceedings for a major part of the Test last week and in the first T20I, weather continues to threaten with even chances of rain throughout the day. Teams batting second have won wightof the last ten games at Mirpur and considering the weather conditions, both captains will be tempted to bowl first.