ZIM vs PAK, 2021: 1st T20I, Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match?

Preview

Pakistan and Zimbabwe are all set to lock horns in the three-match T20I series, starting Wednesday, April 21 at the Harare Sports Club. Babar Azam and Co would be brimming with confidence after beating South Africa 3-1 in the four-match T20I series.

Barring the second game in Johannesburg where they lost by six wickets with 36 balls remaining, the Men in Green were pretty decent. Going into the upcoming series, Pakistan have the upper hand with a 14-0 head-to-head count. At Harare, they have won all their eight games.

As far as Zimbabwe are concerned, they lost to Afghanistan 0-3 in the T20Is and in all the games they lost by a margin in excess of 40. Sean Williams and Co have a massive task at hand ahead of their matches against a full-strength Pakistan team.

Match Details

Match – Zimbabwe vs Pakistan – 1st match

Venue – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Time – 2:30 PM IST, 09:00 AM GMT

Where to watch live – Fancode

Pitch Report

The pitch in Harare has been sporting over the years with the average score a tad over the 150-mark. But keeping in mind Pakistan’s power-packed batting, a high-scoring match can be expected.

The track has mostly helped the team, batting first and hence, chasing can be avoided. The temperature will be around 22 degrees Celsius with the humidity mostly in the high-30s.

Avg score: 154 (23 T20Is in Harare)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 8, Lost – 15, Tied – 0

Probable Playing XIs:

Zimbabwe

Brendan Taylor (WK), Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams (C), Wesley Madhevere, Regis Chakabva, Ryan Burl, Donald Tiripano, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava

Bench: Luke Jongwe, Tadiwanshe Marumani, Tapiwa Mufudza, Tanaka Chivanga

Pakistan

Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Haider Ali, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Bench: Sharjeel Khan, Usman Qadir, Danish Aziz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Hasnain, Zahid Mahmood

Head-to-Head

Overall

Played – 14 | Zimbabwe – 0 | Pakistan– 14 |N/R – 0

In Zimbabwe

Played – 8 | Zimbabwe – 0 | Pakistan– 8 |N/R – 0

Probable best batsman of the match

Babar Azam – Pakistan

Babar Azam was on top of his game against the Proteas as he was the leading run-scorer of the series. In four games, he managed 210 runs at an average and strike rate of 143.83.

His top score of 122 came in the third T20I at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. Against Zimbabwe, Babar has played three matches in which he has notched 133 runs at an average of 66.50 with a top score of 82.

Probable best bowler of the match

Hasan Ali– Pakistan

Hasan Ali was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the T20Is against South Africa after he picked up seven wickets from four games. Though he bowled at an economy rate of 9.35, he had a strike rate of 12.

Against Zimbabwe, the right arm pacer has played two games and picked up as many wickets. Not to forget that the youngster can hit sixes and has won his team matches in a few instances.

Today’s match prediction: Pakistan to win the match.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.