PAK vs ZIM: Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, Stats, Pitch Report & more for 2nd ODI

Zimbabwe have made it clear that the series is certainly not as lopsided as many thought it would be.

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Pak vs Zim
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Pak vs Zim. (Photo Source: Twitter)

When most would have expected a total submission from Zimbabwe considering the multiple factors in the favour of hosts Pakistan (read home advantage, a splendid record, and the experience of playing in the bubble), the Men in Red came out with a performance so notable that the skipper Babar Azam realised the “need to reflect on where his team went wrong” and that they will “come back strong in the next game”.

Azam’s statement highlights his awareness. And what it highlights additionally is that Pakistan knows, despite winning the first ODI, that they were not strong enough. The difference between the sides was merely 26 runs – the narrowest margin of victory in a match between the two sides played in Pakistan. And had things turned their way a tad bit, Zimbabwe might have come up trumps to pocket 10 World Cup Super League points for them.

By their skipper Chamu Chibhabha’s admission, his team “did everything right except getting over the line.” We need to find a way to get over the line. It’s more of a psychological thing…” stated Chibhabha after the game.

And that’s precisely what must be pinching the team badly. They deserve credit for punching above their weight and disproving themselves as pushovers, although the reality remains that the score-line reads 1-0 against them. With six wickets in hand and 48 required in the last five overs during a 282-run chase, all that Zimbabwe needed was “getting over the line”.

However, a brilliant fightback from the bowlers to dismiss half-centurion Wesley Madhevere and the centurion Brendan Taylor in a space of nine deliveries led Zimbabwe to eventually succumb.

The could-have story aside, Zimbabwe have made it clear that the series is certainly not as lopsided as many, as per their erroneous belief, thought it would be. Pakistan might have won the first one, but they must know that it is not a cakewalk that lies ahead for them.

Pitch and Conditions

A fresh strip in Rawalpindi will be used for the second ODI. With a tinge of grass available, expect the pacers to be in contention once again. Despite the arrival of winter, an early start meant that dew did not have much impact in the last game. The same could be expected this time around as well.

Playing combinations for PAK vs ZIM

Pakistan

Pakistan did raise a few eyebrows as they did not involve Fakhar Zaman in the last game, and it would be interesting if the team sticks with Abid Ali, or get Zaman into the scheme. As skipper Azam mentioned that he is planning to give chances to the youngster, he might want to give young Abdullah Shafique and Haider Ali a chance.

After Haris Sohail’s dependable 71-run knock, he would expect himself to be playing rather than warming the bench. The left-arm pacers – Shaheen Afridi and Wahab Riaz – wreaked havoc as they bagged nine out of the ten wickets of the opposition and would look to emulate the same.

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

Zimbabwe 

Brendan Taylor’s enterprising century might not come in a winning cause, but he would want to stay just as hungry and contribute to his team. Craig Ervine’s 41-run knock and Wesley Madhevere’s all-round showing were massive positives for the team.

Openers Brain Chari and Chamu Chibhabha need to ensure that they give some positive start to the team, whereas Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams, who both had a forgettable outing in the previous game, need to take some responsibility with the bat.

Blessing Muzarabani and Tendai Chisoro performed well with the ball in the last game, and Zimbabwe are unlikely to make a change in the combination given that the team were able to get so close.

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 

PAK vs ZIM Head to head

Played- 60 | Pak won- 53 | Zim won- 4 | NR- 2 | Tie- 1

PAK vs ZIM Broadcast details

Match Timings- 12:30 PM (IST), 12:00 PM (Local).

TV– Sony Six, Sony ESPN

Live Streaming– SonyLiv

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