After clinching the T20I series, Afghanistan will be eyeing a similar performance in the ODIs as well when they face Zimbabwe. The three-match ODI series will be getting underway on Tuesday (December 17). The first ZIM vs AFG ODI is scheduled to be played at the Harare Sports Club, Harare.
The third T20I was the last meeting between the two sides. It was the series decider and Afghanistan won that game by 3 wickets. Batting first, Zimbabwe were bowled out for just 127 runs. In reply, Afghanistan recovered from a precarious position to chase down the total in the final over of the game.
Afghanistan were reeling at 44/4 at one stage but their middle-order batsmen came up with crucial knocks to take them home. With both the teams now set to fight it out in the ODIs, here are all the predictions for the first ODI.
ZIM vs AFG Match Prediction- 1st ODI, Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024-25:
Pitch Conditions
The second T20I between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan will be played at the Harare Sports Club. The same venue hosted all the three T20Is as well. Both the teams struggled to score big in the series. Only Afghanistan managed to cross the 150-run mark once when they scored 153 runs in the second T20I.
It won’t be surprising if the ODI series also pans out in a similar fashion. The venue is not known for producing high-scoring games and anything above 250 will be a challenging total. 227 runs is the average 1st innings score at this venue.
Form and Fitness
There are no injury concerns for either of the two teams.
Score Prediction
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
| ZIM | 190-200 | 150-160 |
| AFG | 220-230 | 180-190 |
ZIM vs AFG Players to perform prediction
ZIM – Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Dion Myers, Sean Williams, and Richard Ngarava will be the key players for Zimbabwe.
AFG – Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rashid Khan will be the key players for Afghanistan.
ZIM vs AFG Best Batsman Prediction
Who will score the most runs for ZIM in the match: Sikandar Raza or Craig Ervine
Who will score the most runs for AFG in the match: Rahmanullah Gurbaz or Hashmatullah Shahidi
ZIM vs AFG Best Bowler Prediction
Who will pick the most wickets for ZIM in the match: Richard Ngarava or Sikandar Raza
Who will pick the most wickets for AFG in the match: Fazalhaq Farooqi or Naveen-ul-Haq
Conclusion – Who will win the Match?
The home condition is in Zimbabwe’s favor. However, the hosts have not really capitalized on it so far. They lost the T20I series even after taking the lead and will start the first ODI as underdogs too. Afghanistan will start the game as firm favorites and are expected to beat Zimbabwe.