Zimbabwe will host Afghanistan in the first of the three-match T20I series in Harare starting today (December 11). Here's Wisden's pick of the betting odds for the opening game.
ZIM v AFG first T20I: Who will win?
Zimbabwe caught the eye earlier this week when they called up Ben Curran, brother of England internationals Tom and Sam, for the ODI leg of this series. He is not part of the T20Is though, where 18-year-old fast bowler Newman Nyamhuri has received a call-up. The likes of Brian Bennett, Blessing Muzarabani, Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava remain crucial to their chances of pulling off a win.
Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan is undoubtedly the star player across both teams, and the talent of Noor Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naveen-ul-Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai make them a fearsome unit, combined with the promise of youngsters like Sediqullah Atal and Nangeyalia Kharote.
The odds are well and truly in in Afghanistan's favour to take the opening fixture. Batery is offering a 1.45 return on every pound bet on their win, with a 2.75 return on a Zimbabwe victory.
ZIM v AFG first T20I: Which side will hit most fours and sixes?
Zimbabwe's batters did not really get going in their most recent series against Pakistan, and even folded for 57 to the left-arm wrist spin of Sufiyan Muqeem. Afghanistan's spinners are also going to be a difficult proposition.
Afghanistan have to contend with the height and bounce of Zimbabwean pacers Ngarava and Muzarabani, but should be able to cash in a bit more against the supporting cast.
Afghanistan are priced at 1.75 on Batery to hit more fours, compared to Zimbabwe's 2.40. In terms of sixes, the visitors remain a safe bet as well at 1.60 compared to Zimbabwe's 3.05.
ZIM v AFG first T20I: Which team will score more runs in the Powerplay?
Zimbabwe's top three of Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Dion Myers are not known for scoring at an overly quick pace. Bennett is perhaps the best bet for them to get off to a good start.
By contrast, Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal and Hazratullah Zazai have made their names in T20 cricket, and should be able to give them some good starts.
This is reflected in the odds offered by Batery, which price Afghanistan at 1.50 to score more in the first six overs, compared to Zimbabwe's 2.40.
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