Hand-picked stories you can't miss
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe are set to clash in the final of the UAE ODI tri-series on October 23 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. With the trophy on the line, both teams will depend on their leading batters to deliver under pressure. Afghanistan will draw confidence from their dominant 158-run victory over Zimbabwe earlier in the tournament, while the Chevrons will look to respond with a stronger all-round performance.
Afghanistan’s batting lineup has demonstrated its ability to build substantial totals, with Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran starring in their previous meeting. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, possess experienced batters capable of anchoring an innings and accelerating when required. Here are the top three batters to watch out for in the tri-series final.
1. Sediqullah Atal (Afghanistan)
Sediqullah Atal will be one of Afghanistan’s most important batters heading into the final after producing a superb century against Zimbabwe earlier in the tournament. The left-hander scored 102 runs off 110 deliveries, helping Afghanistan post 294 before their bowlers dismissed Zimbabwe for 136. His innings earned him the Player of the Match award.
Atal’s ability to combine patience with controlled aggression makes him a valuable option in the ODI format. Rather than relying exclusively on boundaries, he can rotate the strike, build partnerships and punish loose deliveries. His century against Zimbabwe demonstrated that he can bat deep into the innings while maintaining a healthy scoring rate.
The final will present a different challenge, however. Zimbabwe’s bowlers are likely to study his previous innings closely and look for ways to prevent him from settling. They could target the stumps early and vary their lengths to stop him from establishing his preferred rhythm.
Atal will need to remain patient during the initial overs before increasing his scoring rate. If Afghanistan lose an early wicket, his ability to rebuild alongside the more experienced middle order could prove crucial. If the openers provide a solid platform, he will have an opportunity to put Zimbabwe’s bowlers under sustained pressure.
His performance could also influence Afghanistan’s approach to the innings. A strong contribution from Atal would allow the middle order to attack with greater freedom and give the team a chance to set another challenging total.
Ibrahim Zadran is another Afghan batter who enters the final with a strong case for being one of the players to watch. The right-hander scored 90 runs off 96 balls in Afghanistan’s previous match against Zimbabwe, forming a crucial partnership with Atal as the pair helped lay the foundation for a total of 294.
Ibrahim’s greatest strength is his ability to anchor an ODI innings without allowing the scoring rate to stagnate. He can play orthodox cricket, find gaps consistently and capitalise on deliveries that stray from their intended line. His composure makes him particularly valuable when Afghanistan need to recover from an early setback.
Against Zimbabwe, Ibrahim will be expected to provide another dependable contribution at the top of the order. His partnership with Atal could once again be central to Afghanistan’s plans, especially if the opening bowlers fail to make early inroads.
Zimbabwe will need to find a way to separate the pair before they build another substantial partnership. Disciplined seam bowling and effective field placements could help restrict Ibrahim’s scoring opportunities. The batter, meanwhile, will look to rotate the strike and avoid giving the bowlers consecutive dot balls that could build pressure.
His ability to convert a start into a substantial score will be particularly important in a final, where one long innings can shape the outcome.
3. Craig Ervine (Zimbabwe)
Craig Ervine is a key batter to watch for Zimbabwe as they attempt to challenge Afghanistan in the final. The experienced left-hander scored 93 runs in Zimbabwe’s opening match against Bangladesh, helping his side secure a convincing 99-run victory. His contribution underlined his importance to Zimbabwe’s batting lineup.
Ervine’s experience and ability to construct an innings make him a valuable figure in a high-pressure match. He can absorb pressure when wickets fall and accelerate once he has assessed the conditions. Against Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack, his ability to rotate the strike and use the crease effectively could be especially important.
Zimbabwe struggled against Afghanistan in their previous meeting, being bowled out for 136 while chasing 295. Their batters will need to show greater discipline in the final, particularly against Rashid Khan and the supporting spin options. Ervine could be central to that response if selected in the playing XI.
He will need to avoid allowing the spinners to dictate the pace of the innings. Playing straight, finding singles and choosing the right deliveries to attack could help him build a meaningful partnership. If Ervine gets set, his experience gives Zimbabwe a batter capable of guiding the chase or anchoring a competitive first-innings total.
His inclusion in the final XI is not guaranteed, so Zimbabwe’s team selection will be worth monitoring before the toss.
Note: These are players to watch based on recent performances and expected roles. The final playing XIs will be confirmed at the toss.
football
cricket