When and Where to Watch Zimbabwe vs Pakistan Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, and Pitch Report for 1st T20I

With the mighty Indian Premier League (IPL) running parallel to this three-match series, Pakistan versus Zimbabwe is not going to attract much attention, or occupy the mind. Set aside even that league of glamour, this is not the series that will be consumed by many too keenly, or create even a tenth of the buzz that most bilateral series manage to. Sadly, Harare is no match for Mumbai or Chennai.

But any of those interested in watching some absorbing, unpredictable brand of the action unfold between two nations, this series might be the one that could leave you quite satisfied.

That does not mean Zimbabwe justifies, even slightly, the tag of being an opponent to Pakistan, who are coming after wrapping up a four-match series 3-1 in the same format against a much stronger rival – South Africa. Even if those wins came against a slightly depleted unit thanks to, again, the IPL, Pakistan showed that they possess everything that teams who win abroad possess.

To look at the contest at hand in terms of a rivalry, it is impossible to term it that: Zimbabwe has played Pakistan 14 times, and all of them have been won by the same team. During their most recent meet, when Pakistan played hosts in November 2020 for a series of the same length, they blanked the visitors by comprehensive margins to accomplish a clean sweep.

The only time Zimbabwe was seen in any 20-over action after that was against Afghanistan in March this year, where they lost all three games by margins above 40 runs to withstand another clean sweep. The last ‘W’ in their T20I report card dates back to 2019 when they managed an eight-wicket win over Singapore, but a victory against a side as capable as Pakistan remains elusive.

That said, they did manage to compete against Pakistan in the ODI series, in November, which included a victory in a Super Over. If Zimbabwe can believe and make efforts close to that standard, who knows, they might be able to change the tag of pushovers. They anyway don’t have anything to lose, after all.

Pitch and conditions 

The Harare Sports Club has been a host to 23 T20Is, where the average score of 159 suggests that it is no batting paradise. Of those 23 games, only eight have been won by the side chasing, while in as many meetings of these two sides at the venue, the closest Zimbabwe has come to a win was in 2011, when they lost by 5 runs.

Playing combinations for ZIM vs PAK

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe did not have the services of either Brendan Taylor or Craig Ervine during their 0-3 defeat against Afghanistan. With them back in the side, they have some solidity and experience to look at. Blessing Muzarabani has been a find for them, and he managed to trouble Pakistan in November too, where his economy was under 7.5 for the 4 wickets he picked. Should he emulate that performance and manage to get some support from the batting order, Zimbabwe might fancy opening their account.

Predicted XI: Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Sean Williams (C), Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Ryan Burl, Wesley Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Luke Jongwe, Chakabva Regis

Pakistan

Azam smashed 210 runs at a staggering average and strike rate of 52.50 and 143.83 against South Africa, which included a record 122 in the third T20I. Alongside him Mohammad Rizwan was in his elements too, finishing with 147 runs at 73.50.

Predicted XI: Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam (C), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammed Hafeez, Haider Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf

ZIM vs PAK Head to Head

Played – 14 | Pakistan – 14 | Zimbabwe – 0

ZIM vs PAK Broadcast Details

Match Timings – 2:30 PM IST

Live Streaming – Fancode