Zimbabwe v Pakistan 1st T20I preview: Zimbabwe look to topple Pakistan in shortest format

Zimbabwe v Pakistan 1st T20I preview: Zimbabwe look to topple Pakistan in shortest format: Pakistan are set to begin a short limited overs tour of Zimbabwe with a 2 match T20 series starting September 27 in Harare. While Shahid Afridi is going to be marshalling the troops of the visitors the Zimbabwean side will be headed by Elton Chigumbura. Pakistan will be facing the African nation for the second time in the year after a historic     series in May which marked the return of international cricket to Pakistan after the infamous terror attacks of 2009. Pakistan won all the games in their previous meeting and the hosts will be eagerly waiting to avenge their loss.

While most are expecting a repeat of the earlier series Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has made it clear that they won’t take Zimbabwe lightly. “Zimbabwe might not be ranked among the top teams in the world but they remain a good side in limited-overs matches,” Afridi said earlier this week. For the tourists the series will also serve as a preparation for the upcoming contest with England in the UAE.

Pakistan:

The Pakistan outfit can take a lot of heart from their previous encounter with the Lankans as they beat the home side comprehensively in all 3 formats. Pakistan won the Test series 2-1, the ODIs 4-1 and also clinched the T20 series 2-0. The second game of the T20I series will particularly inspire them for much greater things in future. After the hosts had made 172 Pakistan were in serious trouble loosing regular wickets, but a counter attacking knock from Afridi ensured they got home in a heart stopping finish. The T20 side has two new names in Amir Yamin and Imran Khan Jnr. and it will be interesting to see if they get a chance.

Shoaib Malik has been in sublime touch while Mukhtar Ahmad can take the game away on his own. Tanvir will share the pace bowling duties with fiery Wahab Riaz while the focus will surely be on Imran who wrecked havoc in Pakistan’s domestic T20 competition and is a master of executing his variations.

Zimbabwe:

Zimbabwe on the other hand will be disappointed to hand over the Kiwis a series win the ODIs after taking a 1-0 lead. The lone T20I was even more disappointing as they lost by a huge margin of 80 runs after New Zealand had made 198.

Wicket keeper Richmond Mutumbami has made a comeback to the Zimbabwe squad in place of Regis Chakabva who had a disastrous series against the Kiwis. Even though Zimbabwe’s bowling had struggled against New Zealand, taking ten wickets overall in three ODIs, including a wicketless second match, the selectors have not made major changes.

Zimbabwe has the services of quality all-rounders like Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura, and Sikandar Raza while Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, and Masakadza will lend solidity to the batting order.

We can expect Zimbabwe to come hard at the visitors and take a lead which would ensure they can’t loose the series. Pakistan on the other hand seem quietly confident and will start as the overwhelming favourites.

Stat to ponder: Pakistan have not lost a T20I game to Zimbabwe yet.

Pitch: The Harare surface is pretty much batsman friendly, though pacers get some initial help.

Also Read – Top 10 Teams With Most Runs In T20 Internationals

Probable XI:

Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura (c), Chamu Chibhabha, Graeme Cremer, Craig Ervine, Hamilton Masakadza, Chris Mpofu, Richmond Mutumbami, Taurai Muzarabani, Sikandar Raza, Prosper Utseya, Sean Williams.

Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (c), Muhammad Hafeez, Mukhtar Ahmed, Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Shoaib Malik, Muhammad Rizwan, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanvir, and Imran Khan (Jr).