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

After a series that none would have believed to produce any sort of intrigue, Zimbabwe managed to pull a couple of rabbits out of their hat to change those opinions, and even record their first victory in the T20I format against a team like Pakistan. The record still stands horribly one-sided, although the 2-1 scoreline, as Rameez Raja suggested, leaves more questions than it answers for the visitors.

Pakistan would hope to not let such a situation arise when they meet the same opposition in the two-Test series that has no bearing on the World Test Championship points table. The series gets underway from 29th April. The visitors will have the memories of defeating South Africa 2-0 in the home Test, while Zimbabwe, who have only worn whites a couple of times in the last year, registered a historic victory against Afghanistan, who levelled the series later to finish it 1-1.

To solve the issue of unequal distribution of Test cricket seems to be on the agenda of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and before any sturdy steps are taken in that direction, Zimbabwe must be pleased being able to play host for a series against a Full Member in such times.

The two teams have not met in the format since 2013, when Pakistan travelled to these shores and returned home with an unexpected scoreline of 1-1, withstanding a 24-run defeat at the same venue after taking a lead through a 221-run victory. That remains to be only the second instance of Zimbabwe winning a home Test against Pakistan, the first one dating many moons back in 1995.

Pakistan has not won an away Test since their 9-wicket win over England at Lords in 2018 (not considering any of the clashes held in Pakistan’s deemed-to-be-home venue UAE). While both on paper and otherwise, the visitors look to be the favorites and have all the ammunition to out-bat and out-bowl Zimbabwe, given both the sides’ unpredictability and more dangerously their own, they would not want to take anything for granted.

Running parallel to the IPL once again gives many a reason to give the series a miss, but should Zimbabwe emulate their performance from the T20Is, some heads are bound to turn.

Pitch and conditions

The track at Harare has not had the reputation of being the most batting-friendly. Even during the T20Is, the surfaces were sluggish and sticky, making things a notch or two tougher for the batters. There might be some assistance for the pacers early morning, and if there is enough moisture to take advantage of, bowling first might not be that bad an idea. Having said that, the batsmen are not likely to face too many troubles once the wicket dries up.

Playing combination for ZIM vs PAK

Zimbabwe 

Zimbabwe has named five uncapped players: medium-pacer Luke Jongwe, left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava, left-arm spinner Milton Shumba, pacer Tanaka Chivanga, and middle-order batsman Roy Kaia in their 16-man squad, while Brendan Taylor, who missed the series against Afghanistan is marking his return. The same could have been told about Craig Ervine, who too missed the previous series, but a calf injury has denied him to wear the whites for the team.

Predicted XI: Kevin Kasuza, Prince Masvaure, Tarisai Musakanda, Brendan Taylor (WK), Sean Williams (C), Regis Chakabva, Donald Tiripano, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Victor Nyauchi

Pakistan

Mohammad Rizwan is set to cut ahead of Sarfaraz Ahmed, while Imran Butt, who was handed a debut against South Africa, should continue as the opener alongside Abid Ali with Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, and Fawad Alam following.

Predicted XI: Imran Butt, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (C), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Faheem Ashraf, Nauman Ali, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Zahid Mahmood

ZIM vs PAK Head to Head

Played – 18 | Pakistan – 10 | Zimbabwe – 3 | Draw – 4 | Abandon – 1

In Zimbabwe 

Played – 10 | Pakistan – 9 | Zimbabwe – 2 | Draw – 1 | Abandon – 0

ZIM vs PAK Broadcast Details

Match Timings – 1:00 PM IST

Live Streaming – Fancode