HARARE - Zimbabwe pose a strenuous challenge for Pakistan as both the teams take on each other in an exciting T20I series finale to be played at Harare Sports Club today (Sunday).
Pakistan’s reliance on its top-order to do the bulk of the scoring has left them exposed to middle-order implosions that failed to take the team over the line with Mohammad Hafeez, Asif Ali, and Faheem Ashraf finding it difficult to regain form. Zimbabwe rectified basics coming into the second game from the first defeat. An improved fielding and bowling performance while maximizing on opportunities sourced by Pakistan’s mistake on the field yielded an ideal result for them.
Zimbabwe pulled off their first-ever win over Pakistan in 16 attempts by defending a below-par total of 118. The bowlers rose to the occasion in a historic fightback that bundled out Pakistan for 99 with Babar Azam as the highest run-scorer with 41 which came in 45 balls. Luke Jongwe starred with the ball to help Zimbabwe level the series with his impressive returns of 4/18.
Pakistan rested Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali for the last two games, but with the series on the line, it would not be a surprise to see them make an appearance. On the other hand, if Williams returns to Zimbabwe team, he will add experience to the batting line-up, but it’s unlikely the hosts will wish to make too many changes to the side that helped them win the second T20I.
The weather is clear again, and with the boundaries as big as they are, a target around 150 should put the side batting first in a decent position. Both sides have fielded first upon winning the toss, but have ended up failing to chase down targets.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam said: “Indeed batting, especially the middle-order, gives a worrying sign. From here on, we will play our best team in order to get favourable results and to give the team a competitive look. The T20 World Cup is coming and we need to resolve these issues. Hopefully, we make a comeback in the next game and in all the future T20Is, we will look to play with our best combination.”
Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor said: “As a batting unit, we need to fire a little more in the powerplay. We feel they’re a stronger bowling unit than a batting unit, and if we manage to post 140 to 150 runs total on the board, we can challenge them and will have bright chances of winning the series finale.”
SQUADS (PROBABLES)
PAKISTAN: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Danish Aziz, Faheem Ashraf, Arshad Iqbal/Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Qadir, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf.
ZIMBABWE: Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Wesley Madhevere, Brendan Taylor (c), Tarisai Musakanda, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva (wk), Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava.