AFG vs ZIM Dream11 Prediction 1st T20I.The Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2025 kicks off with an exciting 1st T20I as the hosts take on a powerhouse Afghan side at the Harare Sports Club. While Afghanistan has historically dominated this fixture, Zimbabwe is riding a wave of good form and playing on home turf, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.
Afghanistan, led by the talismanic Rashid Khan, will be looking to bounce back from a tough T20I series against Bangladesh. Their strength lies in their world-class spin attack, but their batting has been a point of concern. For Zimbabwe, captain Sikandar Raza will be the central figure, and the team will be buoyed by their recent success in the T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final and a Test victory over this same opponent.
This match promises a classic T20 battle: Afghanistan’s elite spinners against Zimbabwe’s in-form and experienced batting lineup.
Match Details
- Match: Zimbabwe (ZIM) vs Afghanistan (AFG), 1st T20I
- Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
- Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
- Time: 1:30 PM LOCAL / 5:00 PM IST
Harare Sports Club Pitch Report
The pitch at the Harare Sports Club is known for being balanced. In the initial overs, pacers can expect some decent bounce and movement, making the powerplay crucial for both teams.
As the game progresses, the wicket tends to slow down, bringing spinners squarely into the game. Expect the ball to grip and turn, making the middle overs a challenging phase for batters. The average first-innings score here is around 155-160, and any total above 170 will be considered very competitive. Captains might be tempted to bowl first, given the recent trend at this ground.
đźš‘ Injury Updates
As of the latest reports, there are no new injury concerns for either the Afghanistan or Zimbabwe squads. Both teams are expected to have their full list of players available for selection.
đź“‹ Probable Playing XIs
Note: These are the most likely XIs based on recent form and squad announcements. The official teams will be confirmed at the toss.
Afghanistan (AFG) Probable XI:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Sediqullah Atal
- Mohammad Nabi
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Darwish Rasooli
- Rashid Khan (c)
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Noor Ahmad
- Fareed Ahmad Malik
- Bashir Ahmad / Fazalhaq Farooqi
Zimbabwe (ZIM) Probable XI:
- Brian Bennett
- Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk)
- Brendan Taylor / Dion Myers
- Sikandar Raza (c)
- Ryan Burl
- Tony Munyonga
- Brad Evans
- Graeme Cremer / Wellington Masakadza
- Blessing Muzarabani
- Richard Ngarava
- Clive Madande
đź“Š Head-to-Head (H2H) Records
Overall Team H2H (T20I)
Afghanistan has a dominant record against Zimbabwe in the T20I format.
- Total Matches: 18
- Afghanistan Won: 16
- Zimbabwe Won: 2
- Last 5 Matches: Afghanistan leads 4-1
Key Player H2H & Venue Stats
Here are the crucial player-vs-player and player-vs-opponent statistics that are vital for fantasy contests:
- Sikandar Raza (ZIM) vs Afghanistan (T20Is):
- Batting: 16 matches, 370 runs, 24.66 avg, 135.03 SR
- Bowling: Has also picked up key wickets against them.
- Rashid Khan (AFG) vs Zimbabwe (T20Is):
- Bowling: 32 wickets, 6.32 economy, BBI 4/27
- Batting: A handy lower-order hitter.
- Mohammad Nabi (AFG) vs Zimbabwe (T20Is):
- Batting: 18 matches, 485 runs, 37.30 avg, 157.98 SR
- Bowling: 12 wickets
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG) vs Zimbabwe (T20Is):
- Batting: 278 runs
- Blessing Muzarabani (ZIM) vs Afghanistan (T20Is):
- Bowling: 9 matches, 14 wickets
⚔️ Player-vs-Player Battles (T20I)
- Sikandar Raza vs Rashid Khan: Raza has scored 75 runs off 70 balls against Rashid, but Rashid has dismissed him 3 times. This is a critical match-up.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Blessing Muzarabani: Gurbaz has been dominant in this battle, scoring 36 runs off just 23 balls without being dismissed.
Team Analysis & Key Players
Afghanistan (AFG)
Afghanistan enters as the favorite, boasting a staggering 16-2 head-to-head record against Zimbabwe in T20Is. However, their recent T20I form in 2025 has been shaky, and they will rely heavily on their core players to fire.
- Rashid Khan (C): The captain is a non-negotiable pick. He is a genuine match-winner with both ball and bat and has an excellent record in Harare.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK): An explosive opener who can take the game away in the first six overs. While his recent form has been patchy, his high-risk, high-reward style makes him a fantasy must-have.
- Sediqullah Atal: He has been Afghanistan’s most consistent T20I batter in 2025. Look for him to anchor the innings or provide a solid platform.
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman & Noor Ahmad: Completing the spin trio, Mujeeb in the powerplay and Noor in the middle overs can dismantle any batting lineup, especially on a helpful pitch.
Zimbabwe (ZIM)
The Chevrons are not to be underestimated. They are playing with confidence, and the return of veterans adds much-needed stability to their squad.
- Sikandar Raza (C): The heart and soul of Zimbabwe cricket. Raza is in the form of his life, a top-tier all-rounder who will contribute heavily with both bat and his clever off-spin.
- Brian Bennett: The opener has been in scintillating form in domestic T20s this year. He is an aggressive batter who could take on the Afghan bowlers early.
- Richard Ngarava: This left-arm seamer is Zimbabwe’s leading wicket-taker in 2025 and is coming off a fantastic fifer in the recent Test. He will be a major threat with the new ball.
- Blessing Muzarabani: With his height and pace, Muzarabani can extract uncomfortable bounce from the Harare pitch, making him a danger to the Afghan top order.
AFG vs ZIM Dream11 Prediction Top Fantasy Picks
- Wicketkeeper: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Batters: Brian Bennett, Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran (a class player due for a big score)
- All-rounders: Sikandar Raza (C), Rashid Khan (VC), Mohammad Nabi
- Bowlers: Richard Ngarava, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Blessing Muzarabani, Noor Ahmad
Dream11 Fantasy Team Suggestion (Head-to-Head)
- WK: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- BAT: Brian Bennett, Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran
- AR: Sikandar Raza (C), Rashid Khan (VC), Azmatullah Omarzai
- BOWL: Richard Ngarava, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Blessing Muzarabani, Noor Ahmad
Dream11 Fantasy Team Suggestion (Grand League)
- WK: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- BAT: Brian Bennett(C) , Brendan Taylor, Ryan Burl
- AR: Sikandar Raza, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi
- BOWL: Richard Ngarava, Mujeeb Ur Rahman,
Disclaimer: This fantasy team is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. When selecting your team, please consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.
