After a competitive ODI series, Pakistan and Zimbabwe will kick off the T20I series in Rawalpindi. Pakistan has recently won the ODI series 2-1; meanwhile, Zimbabwe put an excellent display to register their first victory in CWC Super League.
Match Timings: Nov 07, 4PM
Team Preview
Pakistan will get over from the defeat in Super Over on Tuesday as they start the 3-matches T20I series. Nobody gave a chance to Zimbabwe in ODIs, but the visitors played outstanding cricket in Rawalpindi. In the opening ODI, they fell short due to the late collapse, but in the last ODI, they pulled off a great comeback after losing three wickets early in the powerplay. Zimbabwe might be a big threat, and the hosts would avoid any mistake against the underdogs.
Pakistan also had some positives from the ODIs, and Babar would try to win his first T20I series as captain. In English summer, they had drawn T20 series 1-1, and Haider Ali marked his debut with a fine half-century. The top-scorer in England’s series, Hafeez would be back in the side, or Pakistan would give youngsters a chance ahead of the New Zealand tour. Haider Ali will continue at the top, and Pakistan can try Faheem Ashraf in the middle-overs. Usman Qadir can get a T20I cap on Saturday. They are a compact T20 side, despite having a poor form in the last Sri Lanka and Australia series.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe are pretty delightful after a remarkable victory in the final ODI, and they also opened their account in CWC Super League. Sean Williams and Brendon Taylor both got a hundred in the series. Sikandra Raza also played a handy knock in the win. The visitors have a bunch of quality players who can surprise Pakistan. Blessing Muzarabani got a fifer and bowled the finest Super Over to script a memorable victory for Zimbabwe. The top-order is a worrying sign for them after an inconsistent batting show in the ODI series. Ryan Burl would get the recall and Brian Chari would be dropped. Chibhabha would be confident of getting at least one victory from the T20 series to conclude their tour on a high note.
Pitch Report
Rawalpindi’s surface is a pure batting track, and pacers have a good advantage from the surface. It’s a day game, and there is no dew, so spinners can control the game in middle-order. 160-170 would be a par score on this surface.
Possible XI
Pakistan
Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Haider Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Wahab Riaz, Usman Qadir, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain
Zimbabwe
Chamu Chibhabha (c), Brendan Taylor (wk), Elton Chigumbura, Sean Williams, Ryan Burl, Wesley Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Tendai Chisoro, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava
Key Players
Pakistan
Shaheen Afridi
National T20 Cup 2020 -M: 10, Wickets: 20, Avg: 14.90
Fakhar Zaman
National T20 Cup 2020 -M: 10, Runs: 420, Avg: 35
Zimbabwe
Brendon Taylor
ODI series – M: 3, Runs: 204, Avg: 68
Sean Williams
ODI series – M: 3, Runs: 197, Avg: 98.50
