Afghanistan take on Zimbabwe in Sharjah

sharjah — All roads lead to the famous Sharjah Cricket Stadium where ICC Intercontinental Cup champions Afghanistan will face three-time former ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier winners Zimbabwe in a five-match ODI series from Friday, a press release said.

The series between 10thranked Zimbabwe and 11thranked Afghanistan, who are separated by just two ranking points, is crucial as both sides are in Group B of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 (to be played from 4-25 March) and are scheduled to meet in the tournament proper at the Queen’s Sports Club in Bulawayo on March 6.

This means Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will not only aim to give final touches to their preparations in the Sharjah series, but will also aim to carry the winning momentum into the qualifiers, whose finalists will join defending champions Australia, Bangladesh, hosts England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka in the 10-team ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England.

The series in Sharjah, which has played host to 231 ODIs (76 more than its closest rival, Sydney Cricket Ground), will also see the return of Zimbabwe’s fast bowler Brian Vitori, as well as Afghanistan’s duo of Rashid Khan and Mohammad Shahzad.

Vitori was allowed to resume bowling in international cricket on January 20. Fixtures: February 9: 1st ODI; February 11: 2nd ODI; February 13: 3rd ODI; February 16: 4th ODI; February 19: 5th ODI. *Matches will he held at Sharjah Cricket Ground