Zimbabwe Predicted Playing XI vs Afghanistan | PC- AFP
After a breathtaking week of ODI cricket, the final of the UAE Tri-Series 2026 is just one sleep away. Afghanistan will face Zimbabwe in the much-awaited clash in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
The Afghanistan team has been the best outfit of the tournament, but the Chevrons have the ability to punish the Asian giants.
In this article, we will analyse the Zimbabwe Playing XI vs Afghanistan for the final of the Tri-Nation Series in UAE 2026, scheduled at Abu Dhabi on Friday.
Top Order – Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Brendan Taylor
Zimbabwe have not played like Zimbabwe so far in the UAE Tri-Series 2026. One of the main reasons is that Brian Bennett hasn't been scoring. It looked like he was in for a big innings in the previous loss, but Allah Ghazanfar trapped in front. The star opener will need to score in the big final against Afghanistan.
Ben Curran is one of Zimbabwe's batters, who can solve the Afghanistan spin riddle. He is also due for runs, which is why he will be a primary batter in the Zimbabwe Playing XI vs Afghanistan.
The Chevrons might rejig their top order by promoting Brendan Taylor to number three. The experienced batter played a remarkable knock under pressure vs Bangladesh, but was rested against Afghanistan.
Middle Order & All-Rounders - Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere
If Taylor gets to bat at three, Craig Ervine will need to take care of the providing stability to the middle order. Zimbabwe collapsed in the previous fixture against Afghanistan, with Rashid Khan bowling at his best. Notably, Ervine has better numbers among Zimbabwe batters against RK.
| Criterion | Craig Ervine | Zimbabwe |
| Balls faced | 113 | 1106 |
| Runs | 77 | 726 |
| Strike Rate | 68.1 | 65.64 |
| Dismissals | 2 | 54 |
| Dismissal per innings | 0.22 | 2.34 |
(Rashid's ODI stats vs Ervine, Zimbabwe batters)
Sikandar Raza was the of Zimbabwe's better-looking batters during their collapse in the previous game. He scored a fighting 48 before getting bowled by Rashid Khan. He will be the most important cog of the Zimbabwe Playing XI vs Afghanistan, if they need to win the final.
Ryan Burl would retain his place in the ZIM Playing XI vs AFG. He brings the X-factor to the middle order.
Wessely Madhevere may scored too many runs in the UAE Tri-Series, but he is far better than that. He can look contribute with the bat if the team collapses again.
Bowlers - Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Ernest Masuku, Blessing Muzarabani
In the absence of Richard Ngarava, Brad Evans is given the responsibility to bowl with the new ball, alongside Blessing Muzarabani. Evans has been among the best bowlers of the tournament with seven wickets in two matches. Zimbabwe will hope their best pacer, Muzarabani, does the same.
Ernest Masuku replaced Newman Nyamhuri in the ZIM Playing XI vs AFG in the last game. He bagged a couple of wickets and will be retained in the starting 11.
Wellington Masakadza has been the lone spinner in the Zimbabwe Playing XI vs Afghanistan. He has taken just scalps, but the left-arm spinner is far better than that.
Zimbabwe Predicted Playing XI vs Afghanistan for UAE Tri-Series final
Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Brendan Taylor (wk), Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Ernest Masuku, Blessing Muzarabani.
