Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey

PAK vs ZIM 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | PAK vs ZIM 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction Today | Pakistan vs Zimbabwe 1st ODI Key Players | Rawalpindi Pitch Report

For the first time since the COVID-19 lockdown, cricket returns to Pakistan. Although their passionate supporters won’t be present in Rawalpindi, the fact that the national side is playing more in their home country is a source of comfort.

Also, Pakistan were enjoying a good run in ODI cricket when they last played 13 months ago, with six wins on the bounce. So, the challenge will be to hit that kind of form right away here, against a side who were on the wrong end of one of the most one-sided ODI series in history, two years ago.

Zimbabwe have been to hell and back in the past two years or so. In early 2018, they suffered heartbreak, missing out on World Cup qualification by the skin of their teeth. Later that year, they lost 5-0 to Pakistan at home in a non-contest. Worse, a year later, they were suspended by the ICC due to political interference in their cricket. They were reinstated four months later, but are without a win in ODI cricket since beating UAE 4-0 in April 2019. Can the Zimbabweans, led by new captain Chamu Chibhabha, start the series well?

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• It was Fakhar Zaman who dominated the last ODI series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe, back in 2018. The opener amassed 515 runs in five innings at an average of 257.50, which included Pakistan’s first ever ODI double century (210*). Also, Fakhar was the top scorer in the recent Pakistan National T20 Cup, with 420 runs at an average of 35.00 and SR 147.88.
• Fakhar and Imam-ul-Haq combined for 910 runs on their own in that 2018 series, with Imam smashing 395 of his own at an average of 79.00. Imam also had a strong National T20 Cup campaign, with 375 runs in nine innings at an average of 53.57 and SR 144.78.
• Eyes will also be on skipper Babar Azam, who has continued to go from strength-to-strength in ODI cricket. In 2019, Babar struck 1,092 runs in 20 ODIs at an average of 60.66. Also, Babar is enjoying a good run of form, with scores of 86*, 86, 64*, 0 and 39 in the recent T20 Cup.
• Brendan Taylor has the most runs for any current Zimbabwe player against Pakistan (572, avg. 38.13). He will be key.
• New Zimbabwe captain Chamu Chibhaba is not far behind with 508 runs (avg. 29.88). However, can he overcome Pakistan’s potent new ball attack, which includes the impressive Shaheen Shah Afridi? Shaheen took the most wickets in the recent National T20 Cup (20), and had an excellent World Cup campaign last year where he took 16 wickets in five games.
• Sean Williams will be key for Zimbabwe with bat and ball. The all-rounder has 396 career runs vs Pakistan at 30.88, and can keep things relatively quiet in the middle overs with a career economy rate of 4.98 with the ball against Pakistan.
• Sikandar Raza, who has a century vs Pakistan in ODIs, will also be key with bat and ball. In addition to 203 runs (avg. 33.83), Sikandar has four wickets at 35.75. Can he build on these numbers?
• Can Elton Chigumbura, if picked, make up for lost time? The up-and-down all-rounder does possess a respectable record against Pakistan, with 548 runs in 21 ODIs at 32.33, to go with 11 wickets (avg. 46.36). Zimbabwe could look to go with Ryan Burl, who can bowl legspin and hit a long ball.
• If conditions suit, Faheem Ashraf could get the nod over Imad Wasim. Ashraf took the equal-most wickets in the Zimbabwe-Pakistan ODI series in 2018 (9).
• Haris Rauf has enjoyed quite the 12 months. After starring in Australia’s BBL last season (20 wickets in 10 games), Rauf is coming off an excellent National T20 Cup campaign (18 wickets in eight games). Can he transfer this form to 50-over cricket and perform well on ODI debut, if picked?
• Welcome back, Blessing Muzarabani. With Kolpak now closed due to the UK’s departure from the European Union, Muzarabani is again available for the Zimbabweans. Can he use his experience in the UK, as well as his superb 2019 CWC Qualifier performances, to find success here?
• Carl Mumba took six wickets in three ODIs in Bangladesh earlier in 2020. Tendai Chatara has 11 wickets in seven ODIs vs Pakistan (avg. 29.72).

Stats and Facts

• Pakistan utterly dominate the head-to-head record vs Zimbabwe, with 52 wins out of 57 completed ODIs.
• The last ODI meeting between the two sides was a one-sided series in 2018, where Pakistan won 5-0. The closest margin of victory when Pakistan were chasing was 84 balls remaining (nine wickets) and 131 runs when setting a score.
• The last ODI at Rawalpindi was Pakistan vs West Indies, way back in 2006, and the match was abandoned due to rain. The last result on this ground was in February 2006, where India chased 266 with seven wickets to spare. Irfan Pathan (3/43) was man of the match.
• Babar Azam is 641 runs away from 4,000 ODI runs. He has eight or fewer innings to reach this mark to beat Hashim Amla’s record of being the fastest batsman to this mark.
• Zimbabwe have not won an ODI since beating UAE 4-0 in April 2019 (eight straight losses).

Possible Playing 11

Shadab Khan is ruled out with injury, so legspinner Usman Qadir could make his debut. Also, Khushdil Shah, middle-order batsman and left-arm orthodox bowler, could make his debut, too. Khushdil has a superb List A record, with 2,212 runs in 54 innings at an average of 47.06 and SR 99.54.

Pakistan: 1. Fakhar Zaman, 2. Imam-ul-Haq, 3. Babar Azam (c), 4. Haris Sohail, 5. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 6. Iftikhar Ahmed, 7. Khushdil Shah 8. Imad Wasim/Faheem Ashraf, 9. Haris Rauf/Mohammad Hasnain, 10. Usman Qadir/Wahab Riaz, 11. Shaheen Afridi

Zimbabwe have a call to make regarding the opening partner for Chamu Chibhaba, as well as the makeup of their bowling attack.

Zimbabwe: 1. Brian Chari/Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, 2. Chamu Chibhabha (c), 3. Craig Ervine, 4. Brendan Taylor (wk), 5. Sean Williams, 6. Elton Chigumbura/Ryan Burl, 7. Sikandar Raza, 8. Wellington Masakadza, 9. Carl Mumba, 10. Donald Tiripano/Tendai Chatara, 11. Blessing Muzarabani

Rawalpindi Pitch and Weather Report

This ground was used quite a bit in the recent National T20 Cup. So, the groundstaff have reportedly kept some grass on the surface to ensure the track holds up nicely, which will bring the seamers into the match. Also, the early start could prompt the captain who wins the toss to bowl first and take advantage of early movement. No rain is forecast.

Dream11 Prediction (based on final XIs)

Also read: Why multiple teams in Dream11 is important

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Pakistan have a superb record vs Zimbabwe, and it should continue here given that members of the Pakistan squad have been in action in recent months. Pakistan to win.

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