Pakistan and Zimbabwe will face each other in a three-match ODI series starting from 24th November. The first ODI will be played on Sunday in Bulawayo.
Match Preview:
After defeating Australia in the ODI format, Pakistan is ready to face Zimbabwe at their backyard. Pakistan will be in high-confidence coming into the series as they defeated Australia in ODI format after more than 20 years.
Not so many things have changed since that Australian series but Pakistan has found a new head coach in the white-ball format in the name of Aqib Javed.
Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, and Haris Rauf will be players to watch out for but all eyes will be on Babar Azam as the struggling batter can use this series to groove his back. The right-handed batsman looked fine in the ODI series against Australia but could not get much time on the crease.
Though Rizwan hinted that the side will be trying their bench strength for this series considering Champions Trophy 2025 is not so far, it would be interesting to see how the youngsters will step-up for the exciting challenges ahead.
“The ODI series against Zimbabwe is equally important for us as we aim to test out our bench strength and plan towards the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at home. With the help of the Almighty, we aim to keep the winning momentum from our last ODI series going.
“With the trio of our main players resting up after the Australia series, it will be exciting to see other players putting their hands up and helping the team at various times during the 50-over contests”
Talking about Zimbabwe, they haven’t played much of the ODIs this year. They have only played a series against Sri Lanka in this format earlier in January and failed to clinch the series.
It is quite clear that there won’t be any chances for the Chevrons to make the cut for the Champions Trophy but this series will be a top option for them to test where they do stand in cricket.
The hosts will be relying on their main players like Sikandar Raza, Craig Evrine, Sean Williams, Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava. The hopes will be pinned on the young and exciting blood too as both Brain Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani have shown promise.
Although Pakistan is much of a stronger opponent for the home side, they have time and again shown that they can overpower Pakistan. Remember that super over win in 2020 and a T20 World Cup victory in 2022? Zimbabwe will surely try their best to emulate one of said performances!
Probable Playing XI:
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Rizwan (c and wk), Kamran Ghulam, Agha Salman, Irfan Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain
Zimbabwe: Joylord Gumbie, Dion Myers, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c), Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza, Clive Madande (wk), Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Faraz Akram and Trevor Gwandu
Pitch and weather report:
Although there is a prediction of rain before the match but it is expected it won’t bother the game much.
Talking about the pitch, the average score has been 244. The surface usually assists the pacers but batters can play long and solid innings upon settling in.
Head-to-head record:
A total of 61 games have been played between Pakistan and Zimbabwe. The Green Shirt stood victorious in 54 games while Zimbabwe has won 5 games only.
Prediction:
Given how they perform against Australia, Pakistan will start out as favourites to take a lead in the three-match ODI series.
Where to watch:
Pakistan: Tapmad
India: Fancode
