Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan T20I Match Preview – 3rd T20I, 2nd November 2025

Match Details

• Date: Sunday, 2nd November 2025
• Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe
• Time: 11:30 AM GMT | 5:00 PM IST | 1:30 PM Local Time
• Format: T20I (Third and Final Match of the Series)

Series Context

The Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan T20I series is set to conclude with a high-stakes encounter at the Harare Sports Club. Afghanistan currently leads the series 1-0 following a 20-run win in the second T20I. Zimbabwe, however, will look to capitalize on their recent Test triumph and home advantage to level the series and potentially snatch victory in the final match.

Team Form and Analysis

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe have shown glimpses of promise in the series, particularly with the bat. In the second T20I, they posted 125/8, with Sikandar Raza scoring a crucial 37. However, the middle and lower order have struggled to provide consistent support, and the team has often faltered under pressure. The bowlers, led by Brad Evans and Richard Ngarava, have been their saving grace, offering tight lines and crucial breakthroughs.

Despite a recent five-match T20I winning streak against associate teams, Zimbabwe’s inconsistency in big moments has been a concern. Captain Sikandar Raza has been in decent form, and the team will look to him to lead from the front and inspire a more cohesive batting performance.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan, despite a recent T20I slump against Bangladesh, have looked sharp in this series. They chased down Zimbabwe’s total of 125 with relative ease in the second T20I, thanks to Ibrahim Zadran’s unbeaten 57 and a well-timed acceleration in the final overs. The return of Rashid Khan has been a major boost, and his ability to turn games with his legspin has been pivotal.

Afghanistan’s batting has shown more depth in this series, with Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz providing the firepower. Their bowling attack, led by Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan, is among the best in T20 cricket. If they can maintain their composure and execute their plans, they are strong favorites to clinch the series.

Players to Watch

Zimbabwe

• Sikandar Raza (c): The experienced captain and top-order batsman needs to deliver a consistent performance to anchor the innings.
• Brian Bennett: The opener has been the highest run-scorer for Zimbabwe in the series so far and will look to continue his good form.
• Brad Evans: The left-arm pacer has been instrumental with the ball, providing swing and seam movement.

Afghanistan

• Rashid Khan (c): The world’s best T20 legspinner is a match-winner and will be crucial both with the ball and in the lower order.
• Ibrahim Zadran: The middle-order batsman has been in scintillating form, scoring four fifties in the past year.
• Azmatullah Omarzai: The all-rounder has been a consistent performer with both bat and ball and is a key player in tight situations.

Venue Insights – Harare Sports Club

The Harare Sports Club is a batting-friendly venue that has seen average first-innings scores of around 160 in recent T20Is. The pitch offers some assistance to spinners in the middle overs, but the pace and bounce are generally good for batters. With the weather expected to remain clear, it could be a high-scoring affair if the batters capitalize on the conditions.

Squads

Zimbabwe T20I Squad:

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

Afghanistan T20I Squad:

• Rashid Khan (c)
• Ibrahim Zadran (vc)
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz
• Sediqullah Atal
• Darwish Rasooli
• Shahidullah Kamal
• Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai
• Azmatullah Omarzai
• Mohammad Nabi
• Sharafuddin Ashraf
• Fazalhaq Farooqi
• Mujeeb Ur Rahman
• Bashir Ahmad
• Fareed Ahmad Malik
• Abdullah Ahmadzai

Match Predictions

• Toss Winner: Zimbabwe
• Match Winner: Afghanistan
• Top Batter Runs Scored:
  • Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza
  • Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran
• Top Bowler Wickets Taken:
  • Zimbabwe: Brad Evans
  • Afghanistan: Rashid Khan
• Most Sixes:
  • Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett
  • Afghanistan: Azmatullah Omarzai
• Player of the Match: Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
• Team Scores Batting First:
  • Zimbabwe: 135+
  • Afghanistan: 155+

Final Verdict

This third T20I promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched sides. While Afghanistan have the upper hand in recent head-to-heads and a stronger T20I pedigree, Zimbabwe’s recent Test win and home advantage cannot be ignored. The toss could prove to be pivotal, especially given the nature of the Harare pitch. Expect Afghanistan to come out on top if they can replicate their second T20I performance, but Zimbabwe will be eager to make a statement in their home conditions.

Prediction: Afghanistan to win the final T20I and clinch the series.
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