Return of Mujeeb as Afghanistan chooses to bat first in Harare against visitors

Rashid Khan has won the toss and chosen to bat in the opening match of Afghanistan's multi-format series against Zimbabwe. The team will be bolstered by the return of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who is back in action after recovering from an injury. With the spin trio of Rashid, Mujeeb, and Mohammad Nabi leading the attack, Afghanistan will look to put up a strong performance in the series.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza said he would have bowled first anyway. Trevor Gwandu replacing Tinotenda Maposa is the only change they have made from their final T20I against Pakistan. The square boundaries in Harare are skewed with the long 79-metre hit one side and 64 on the other. The pitch and outfield are expected to favour the batters as per Ed Rainsford's report.

Sediqullah Atal will open for Afghanistan in Ibrahim Zadran's absence. They have decided not to start the series with young top-order batters Zubaid Akbari and Darwish Rasooli.

Afghanistan XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (capt), Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fareed Ahmed

Zimbabwe XI: Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza (capt), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu