Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey

PAK vs ZIM 1st T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | PAK vs ZIM 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Pakistan vs Zimbabwe 1st T20 Key Players | Rawalpindi Pitch Report

In a normal world, a tour of Zimbabwe to Pakistan would mean a one-sided contest. Before Tuesday, Zimbabwe had won just one of 20 completed ODIs in the country, and were without a win in ODIs against a Test nation since beating Sri Lanka way back in January 2018.

But, Zimbabwe’s competitive showing in the ODIs, which included great performances from their senior players as well as promising displays by their up-and-comers, gives them hope in the T20Is. But, like in the ODIs, Zimbabwe need to find their best cricket in T20Is, as they remain inconsistent in this format, too. In fact, they have never beaten Pakistan in a T20I, and just over a year ago, they suffered a harrowing defeat to Singapore. So, this is an opportunity to continue moving in the right direction, and Zimbabwe need to grab this opportunity with both hands.

For Pakistan, nothing less than a convincing and polished display will do. The former number one T20I side, who enjoyed a run of 11 straight series wins, endured a poor 2019, winning just one of nine completed matches. In 2020, though, the emergence of the likes of Haider Ali gives them renewed confidence, and Pakistan can look to build on a promising 1-1 series draw in England earlier this year.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Three matches, 204 runs, avg. 68, one fifty, one century. Those were Brendan Taylor’s numbers in the ODI series, and he will be key here. So, can Taylor improve on a modest T20I record vs Pakistan? (4 inns, 55 runs, avg. 18.33, SR 105.77).
• His partner in crime, Sean Williams, also had a superb ODI series (197 runs, avg. 98.50, one 50, one 100). Williams has performed well vs Pakistan in the past (6 inns, 162 runs, avg. 40.50, SR 138.46), and will be required to do well here.
• Babar Azam was replaced as number one T20I batsman by Dawid Malan earlier in 2020. So, how will the classy batsman respond? He is coming off 77* and 125 in the ODIs, and scored 86*, 86, 64*, 0 and 39 on this ground in the recent National T20 Cup.
• Fakhar Zaman struck 61 and 47 in his two T20Is vs Zimbabwe in 2018. Also, Zaman was the highest run-scorer in the recent National T20 Cup (420 runs, avg. 35.00, SR 147.88).
• Haider Ali hit a memorable 54 off 33 balls on T20I debut against England earlier in 2020.
• Wesley Madhevere’s talent was on display in the ODIs. He struck important runs in the first and third ODI (55 and 33 respectively), and the youngster, who plays a beautiful pull shot, is one to watch.
• If Pakistan pick Mohammad Hafeez, they will be picking a player with 12 wickets in five innings vs Zimbabwe, as well as 215 runs in seven knocks at an average of 35.83. Also, Hafeez was magnificent in England earlier this year, with scores of 69 (36) and 86* (52) to win player of the series.
• Khushdil Shah has a strike rate of 137.02 in 58 T20 matches. The hard-hitting left-hander struck 362 runs in the recent National T20 Cup at an average of 32.90 and SR 177.45.
• Shaheen Shah Afridi went wicketless in the last two ODIs vs Zimbabwe. However, his threat in the powerplay (swing) and death (yorkers) makes him a key asset for Pakistan. He took the most wickets in the recent National T20 Cup (20 in 10 matches).
• Mohammad Hasnain is coming off 5/26 in the third ODI. However, Blessing Muzarabani, who took 5/42 and bowled a superb Super Over, won man of the match.
• Haris Rauf to play? The fast bowler burst onto the scene in last year’s Big Bash, taking 20 wickets in 10 matches. Also, Rauf took 18 wickets in eight games in the recent National T20 Cup.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 11, Pakistan 11, Zimbabwe 0.
• Pakistan beat Zimbabwe in both matches in Pakistan in 2015.
• Zimbabwe captain Chamu Chibhabha is out of form with the bat. Also, he has just 49 runs in six T20I innings vs Pakistan (avg. 8.17), But he can contribute with the ball, with six wickets in five innings vs Pakistan.

Possible Playing 11

Pakistan: 1. Fakhar Zaman, 2. Babar Azam (c), 3. Haider Ali, 4. Mohammad Hafeez, 5. Mohammad Rizwan/Rohail Nazir (wk), 6. Iftikhar Ahmed, 7. Khushdil Shah, 8. Imad Wasim, 9. Haris Rauf/Wahab Riaz, 10. Mohammad Hasnain, 11. Shaheen Shah Afridi

Zimbabwe: 1. Brian Chari/Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, 2. Brendan Taylor (wk), 3. Craig Ervine, 4. Chamu Chibhabha (c), 5. Sean Williams, 6. Wesley Madhevere, 7. Sikandar Raza, 8. Tendai Chisoro, 9. Donald Tiripano, 10. Richard Ngarava, 11. Blessing Muzarabani

Rawalpindi Pitch and Weather Report

The early start means that dew shouldn’t be a factor. The pitch provided an equal battle between bat and ball in the ODIs, with swing and movement available up front and runs for batsmen willing to put in the hard yards.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Zimbabwe will come into this series with belief, but Pakistan’s greater depth, particularly with the ball, should count for plenty. Pakistan to win.

Thanks for reading!