![Zimbabwe's predicted XI vs Afghanistan, 2nd T20I [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1793181941382_SikandarRazaZIM.jpg?type=hq)
Zimbabwe's predicted XI vs Afghanistan, 2nd T20I [Source: AFP]
Zimbabwe will face Afghanistan in the second of the three-match T20I series on their tour of UAE. The match will commence at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 29 at 8 PM (IST).
In the first T20I of the series, they had Afghanistan's backs against the walls, reducing them to 45/5 and later 66/5, before the Asians pulled things back and scored 177 before being bowled out. In Blessing Muzarabani's absence, Ernest Masuku was given his debut, while Nymhuri claimed a four-fer.
However, the batters did not get going and Zimbabwe ended up losing the match by 37 runs, conceding the lead in the series. As they stage a comeback in the 2nd T20I, here's a look at the predicted Zimbabwe XI for the second T20I.
Top Order- Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia
The Zimbabwe top order of Brian Bennett, Ben Curran and Innocent Kaia all struggled to get going in the series opener, as the Africans fell behind the run-chase early on.
Bennett's 13 off 18, along with Curran's 7 off 8 and Innocent Kaia's 24 off 26, meant they could only get 44 runs in 52 balls at the top. However, due to the lack of quality options on the bench, Zimbabwe will be forced to keep the three at the top.
Bennett has a career T20I strike rate of 141.66 with over 2142 runs in 70 games, so him performing will be of utmost importance for Zimbabwe to bounce back in the series. The others can bat around him.
Middle Order and Allrounders- Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Brad Evans
The middle-order is where Zimbabwe's major batting strength lies. They boast a fluid 4 to 6 batters, led by captain Sikandar Raza, who has over 3200 T20I runs at a strike rate of 135.64 to go with his 115 off-spin scalps.
Raza will be with leg-spin bowling allrounder Ryan Burl, who scored 32(24) in the last T20I and has 130 caps for Zimbabwe, bringing in the experience. Burl also has 62 T20I wickets to his name. Wessly Madhevere looked good for his 17 in 8 balls in the first game and they will need more of that in the second T20I from him at 6.
Tadiwanashe Marumani will take the gloves, playing his 80th T20I for Zimbabwe. So far he has 1421 runs in the format with 7 fifties, at a strike rate of 130, and scored 7(6) in their loss in the last game. Brad Evans will complete the batting lineup at number 8, with his explosive batting at the end of the innings and will be one of the strike pacers of the team.
Bowlers- Newman Nyamhuri, Wellington Masakadza, Ernest Masuku
There is no update over Blessing Muzarabani's injury, after the lead pacer missed the series opener. So, Newman Nyamhuri will again lead the pace-attack after impressing with 4/31(3.5) in the last match as the opening bowler.
Wellington Masakadza will continue to be the lead spinner of for Zimbabwe, as he continues to approach the 100 T20I mark. Masakadza picked 1/38(4) in the last match, dismissing the struggling Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Ernest Masuku made his T20I debut in the last match and unless Muzarabani is fit to play, he will be continuing as the first-change pacer. Masuku got rid of the in-form Sediqullah Atal and Mohammad Akram in his first over to reduce the Afghans to 18/3 and ended with 2/41 (4).
Zimbabwe's playing XI vs Afghanistan- 2nd T20I, 2026
Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (c), Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Wellington Masakadza, Ernest Masuku.
