ZIM vs NEP Match Preview
Zimbabwe hasn’t made many changes to the team that featured in the ICC T20 World Cup held last year. Milton Shumba, Regis Chakabva, and Tony Munyonga will not be seen in action this time around. They have been replaced by Joylord Gumbie, Innocent Kaia, and Tadiwanashe Marumane.
Innocent Kaia had a good run recently in the domestic circuit, scoring runs across formats, while Tadiwanashe Marumani played well in the Pro50 Championship. Gumbie will be making his international debut here. The team will be led by Craig Ervine and will also feature regulars like Sean Williams, Luke Jognwe, and Blessing Muzarabani.
Wessly Madhevere and Ryan Burl will be seen in the middle order. However, the most important player for the home team will be Sikandar Raza, who was brilliant during the T20 World Cup.
Nepal will be led by Rohit Paudel, who is arguably the most successful ODI captain in recent months with an incredible winning percentage of 92.85% in his last 14 outings. It isn’t surprising then that the team management has made very few changes to the squad that got them this far. Arjun Saud and Aasif Sheikh are the two wicket-keepers on the team.
Gyanendra Malla, Kushal Bhurtel, and Aarif Sheikh are likely to feature at the top of the batting order, while Dipendra Singh and Bhim Sharki will play an important role in the middle order. Kishor Mahato has been named in the squad, thanks to his exploits in the domestic circuit and we are likely to see him play here.
He will be supported by the young Gulshan Jha. Karan KC and Sompal Kami will bring experience to the pace attack. Sandeep Lamichhane will lead the spin attack along with Lalit Rajbanshi.
Weather Report
The weather is expected to remain clear with temperatures of below 25 degrees Celsius.
Pitch Report
The pitch at Harare isn’t the easiest to bat on and the batsmen will find it difficult to play the big shots early on in the game. There will be some movement off the pitch for the seamers, while the spinners will get some turn as the match progresses. A score of around 250 is a par score here.
Notable stats
Bhim Sharki's Consistent Batting
Bhim Sharki made his international debut last year and had been a consistent performer with the bat. In his 9 innings, he has scored 330 runs at an average of 41.25.
Team News
There are no updates regarding injuries from either side.
ZIM vs NEP Probable 11
ZIM Playing 11
- Innocent Kaia
- Craig Ervine (C)
- Wesly Madhevere
- Sean Williams
- Ryan Burl
- Sikandar Raza
- Clive Madande (Wk)
- Brad Evans
- Wellington Masakadza
- Blessing Muzarabani
- Tendai Chatara
NEP Playing 11
- Kushal Bhurtel
- Aasif Sheikh (Wk)
- Bhim Sharki
- Rohit Paudel (C)
- Kushal Malla
- Aarif Sheikh
- Sandeep Lamichhane
- Sompal Kami
- Karan KC
- Lalit Rajbanshi
- Gulshan Jha
Dream11 Prediction
We are backing Zimbabwe to win here. They have far more experience of playing on the big stage and we think they should have no problems in dispatching a relatively inexperienced Nepal team. Also, playing under home conditions gives them an added advantage.
Top Picks
Sikandar Raza: Sikandar Raza has been one of the most important players in the Zimbabwe squad over the last few years. He has scored 3764 runs in his ODI career and has also picked up 76 wickets.
Craig Ervine: Ervine has scored 3035 runs in ODIs at an average of 32.28, including 3 centuries and 18 half-centuries.
Sandeep Lamichhane: Lamichhane has picked up 22 wickets in his last 9 outings. He has an excellent economy rate of 4.25 runs per over and a bowling strike rate of 22.18.
ZIM vs NEP Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: Asif-Sheikh
Batters: W Madhevere, C Ervine, K Bhurtel, B Sharki
All-rounders: S Raza (C), S Williams, R Burl
Bowlers: S Lamichhane (VC), B Muzarabani, L Rajbanshi
