PAK vs ZIM: Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, Stats, Pitch Report and more for 3rd ODI

With the series in their possession, the Pakistan team management might want to give chances to the benchwarmers.

Published - 02 Nov 2020, 17:40 IST | Updated - 02 Nov 2020, 17:40 IST

3 Min Read

All the optimism around Zimbabwe, after a rather impressive performance in the first ODI, came down pretty quickly. When everyone expected a competitive series, the Men in Red did little to live up to that. Though not all is lost. With the series gone to Pakistan, meeting them in the third and last ODI of the series, in the pre-World Cup Super League times, would have given the opponents little motivation. Although, there are no dead-rubbers in the Super League era.

Zimbabwe have had their moments in the series so far. However, as the new skipper Chamu Chibhabha stated after the first game, they have not been able to show the belief that they can do it. That the skipper felt so and Zimbabwe faltered once again in 48 hours, is symbolic of how things in Zimbabwean cricket have unfolded in the years gone by. One good show leads to the other, but Zimbabwe has had so less of that that even a slightly convincing, or we-got-so-close performance is mistaken to be a success.

At the heart of Zimbabwe’s failures lies the lack of intent and team efforts. They did well to establish themselves as more than pushovers in the first game, but teams, and not individuals, win games. They have some promising performances to be shown from the first two games, though they have failed to put up a team effort. It was a brave decision taken by the skipper to invite the hosts to bowl first in the second ODI, although, barring a fighting 70-ball 75 from Sean Williams, none other batsmen was brave with the bat.

The visitors managed to take 4 wickets, but Pakistan, quite expectedly, never looked in trouble chasing an under-par 207 runs. The hosts have an unassailable lead of 2-0, and a victory in the last match would see Pakistan go top of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League points table, apart from the obvious incentive of a whitewash.

Pitch and conditions

Of the 14 wickets that fell in the last encounter, seven were bagged by pacers and just as many by the spinners. Therefore, the track assisted them equally. Dew has not played a role in either of the games thus far, and given the early start, the same is expected this time around as well. The temperature will hover in the mid-20s, and there will be clear skies.

Playing combinations for PAK vs ZIM

Pakistan

A steady knock from Imam-ul-Haq, who missed his half-century by a solitary run, and a decent opening stand had set the platform for an easy chase. Hitting his 16th half-century, Babar Azam ensured that his team faced no issues in hunting the visitors down. The top-three will be assisted by Haider Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, and Iftikhar Ahmed, whose maiden fifer was crucial in setting up the victory for the team.

With the series in their possession, the management might want to give chances to the benchwarmers. Fakhar Zaman might get a look-in at the top, whereas they might want to try leg-spinner Usman Qadir alongside Imad Wasim. Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf will be on their duties in the pace column.

Probable XI- Abid Ali/Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (C), Haider Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz/Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Qadir, Haris Rauf

Zimbabwe

Opener Brain Chari got off to a start, although he failed to convert it into an innings of substance. Chari’s partner and skipper Chamu Chibhabha need to take some responsibility with the bat, as he has not been able to make any contributions thus far. Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams were majorly responsible for giving the bowlers a little more to bowl at after Craig Ervine went out cheaply.

The team might want to promote Sikandar Raza as bringing him in at 7 makes little sense. Tendai Chisoro managed to get two wickets, whereas Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza got one apiece. Though with the required run rate being around four an over, the chase was never going to be difficult for Pakistan.

Probable XI- Brian Chari, Chamu Chibhabha( C), Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor (WK), Wesley Madhevere, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Tendai Chisoro, Carl Mumba, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava