ZWE vs AFG 1st T20I match prediction 11 Jun 2022

ZIM vs AFG 1st T20I Predictions & Betting Tips

After whitewashing hosts Zimbabwe in the 3-match ODI series, Afghanistan are now looking to extend their T20I dominance against the African nation who have managed just a single win till date against the Mohammad Nabi-led side in the format. The first match is scheduled to be played on Saturday, June 11. The second and third matches will be played on June 12 and 14.

Harare Sports Club, which hosted the three ODIs, will host the T20Is as well.

Talking about the respective last five matches of Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, both the teams have won two and lost three matches each. Further, Afghanistan are ranked 10th in the ICC T20I rankings for teams, while Zimbabwe is sitting on the 12th spot. Zimbabwe and Afghanistan last played a T20I match against each other in March 2021. Also, Afghanistan will be playing a T20I match in the African nation for the first time after October 2015.

As we gear up for the first T20I, I have brought you the best three betting tips from the ZIM vs AFG first T20I head-to-head encounter.

ZIM vs AFG Team Bet:

Mentioned below is the top team bet from the ZIM vs AFG head-to-head contest.

Afghanistan to win

Both the teams have played a total of 12 T20I matches against each other out of which Afghanistan have emerged victorious on 11 occasions. Afghanistan have played only two T20 matches in Zimbabwe and won both of them.

The equation is clear enough to confirm that betting on Afghanistan to win is no-brainer. Moreover, Zimbabwe will be facing the risk of facing their third consecutive defeat in the format after losing their last two matches against Namibia in May this year. Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be high on confidence after whitewashing the hosts in the 3-match ODIs series. In their last T20I match, the Asian side stunned Bangladesh by eight wickets and 14 balls remaining.

On top of that, in the presence of top stars of T20I cricket including the likes of Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, a struggling Zimbabwe side will already be on the back foot. A 12th win against Zimbabwe looks certain at the moment for Afghanistan.

If you feel the same, head over to Pari Match to grab the odds of 1.33 and place your bet on Afghanistan's win from the ZIM vs AFG head-to-head encounter.

ZIM vs AFG Player Bet:

Rashid Khan and Sikandar Raza are my top two player betting tips for the ZIM vs AFG first T20I. Have a look at it for reaping the best returns.

Sikandar Raza to score over 16.5 runs

Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza top-scored for his team with 145 runs at an average of 48.33 in the 3-match ODI series. He was the second highest run-scorer after Afghanistan's Rahmat Shah who scored 198 runs. Raza hit 67, 40 and 38 matches in his three outing at the Harare Sports Club, which will also host the T20I series.

However, the right-hander had struggled in the 5-match T20I series in May this year. The 36-year-old, who has scored 599 runs at an average of 13.93 in 47 T20I matches, could score only 75 runs from four innings at an average of 18.75. However, Raza looks to have bounced back to form. Also, the Pakistan-born carries an average of 26 from 10 matches against Afghanistan. He has scored 234 runs against Afghanistan with a top score of 59. His last five T20I innings against Afghanistan have seen him score 41*, 15, 22, 40 and 1 run.

Considering Sikandar Raza's current form and his decent T20I record against Afghanistan, we expect him to score at least 16.5 runs against Afghanistan in the first T20I. If you feel the same, proceed to Pari Match and pick the odds of 1.87 for Sikandar Raza to score over 16.5 runs from the ZIM vs AFG head-to-head encounter.

Rashid Khan to emerge as Afghanistan's top bowler

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan is again expected to grab attention when Afghanistan take on Zimbabwe in the first T20I in Harare on Saturday. Rashid Khan bowled 27.5 runs in the recently-concluded 3-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, picking seven wickets at an economy of 4.52. The star cricketer finished the series as the joint second-highest wicket-taker alongside Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani.

Earlier, in the IPL 2022, the Gujarat Titans (GT) all-rounder picked 19 wickets in 17 matches at an excellent economy of 6.59. The 23-year-old was ninth on the list of highest wicket-takers. For IPL 2022 champions GT he finished second in the season after pacer Mohammed Shami, who picked 20 wickets for the Hardik Pandya-led side. Rasid also made some handy contributions with the bat in crunch situations of the game. He scored 91 runs at an average of 22.75 and strike rate of 206.81. On the night of IPL 2022 final, Rashid Khan gave away just 18 runs in four overs and scalped the wicket of Devdutt Padikkal. Rashid Khan's miserly bowling spell was the main reason why Rajasthan could never score freely and were restricted to a paltry 130 run total for the loss of nine wickets.

Overall, Rashid Khan has played a total of 12 T20I matches against Afghanistan and picked 19 wickets at an average of 16.26. Rashid, the number fourth ranked T20I bowler in the world, has picked 0, 3 and 3 wickets in his last three T20I matches against Zimbabwe. We expect Rashid Khan to emerge as Afghanistan's top bowler against Zimbabwe in the first T20I. Our affiliate partner Pari Match is offering the odds of 2.66 for the same. Move on to the official website of Pari Match and place your bets on Rashid Khan to emerge as Afghanistan's top bowler from the ZIM vs AFG 1st T20I head-to-head encounter.

My Picks:

Afghanistan to win @ 1.33 (Pari Match)

Sikandar Raza to score over 16.5 runs @ 1.87 (Pari Match)

Rashid Khan to emerge as Afghanistan's top bowler @ 2.66 (Pari Match)