Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
The Zimbabwe T20I series involving Pakistan and Australia kicks off today, and looking at the superior strength of two teams compared to the other, it’s safe to say that this is a shootout for the number one T20I ranking.
Crisis. That’s the term I use to describe Zimbabwe cricket right now, and as I mentioned in my four predictions for the series yesterday, this series leaves me with a bit of an empty feeling. Zimbabwe were on track to qualify for the 2019 World Cup, but fell agonisingly short, and it’s been nothing but a mess since then. They are in huge financial trouble, have the least fixtures according to FTP and only yesterday appointed a captain for this series. If they can at least be competitive here, I say it should be considered a success.
Pakistan, on the other hand, have lots going for them. Victorious in their last eight T20I series, as well as 19 of their last 22 matches, the men in green begin their campaign in Zimbabwe as deserved favourites. As always, they have plenty of variety and quality in their attack, and now, with some limited overs specialists in their batting line up, they will be difficult to beat. They start this game as overwhelming favourites, and rightly so.
Key to a Zimbabwe win
No Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams or Graeme Cremer is a huge blow for Zimbabwe. Despite that, they still have experienced players they can be hopeful of to deliver a great backs-to-the-wall performance.
Hamilton Mazakadza and Elton Chigumbura have been around since the early 2000s, and Zimbabwe desperately need those two to fire with the bat. Against a strong Pakistan bowling line up, it’s paramount the Zimbabweans ensure they keep busy, and don’t get stuck playing dot balls and getting out trying to hit big shots to relieve the pressure.
Also, despite the big player boycotts, their seam attack is relatively unaffected. Kyle Jarvis, Blessing Muzarabani and Chris Mpofu have the task of reining in the Pakistan batting line up. The key to keeping Pakistan quiet could be effectively mix up their pace and lengths, so it will be interesting to see how they go about their work.
Key to a Pakistan win
Pakistan are up against a side that is suspect against spin bowling – a quality Pakistan has in abundance. There is also no doubt that Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali will be two very difficult prospects for the Zimbabwean batsmen, and if they fire, I only see one result.
Also, Zimbabwe are without two of their best spin options with Graeme Cremer and Sikandar Raza missing, so Pakistan should be backing themselves to score well against a Zimbabwean attack relying heavily on seam.
At the start of the series, the ball should come onto the bat nicely, making for good strokemaking. One player to especially keep an eye on is Fakhar Zaman, who is looking to get his T20I career up and running.
Predicted teams
Zimbabwe are in all sorts with key players missing, so the make up of their team is difficult to predict. As mentioned, their experienced players must stand up.
Zimbabwe possible XI: 1. Brian Chari, 2. Hamilton Mazakadza (c), 3. Chambu Chibhabha, 4. Tarisai Musakanda, 5. Elton Chigumbura, 6. Peter Moor (wk), 7. Malcolm Waller, 8. Tendai Chisori, 9. Kyle Jarvis, 10. Blessing Muzarabani, 11. Chris Mpofu
Pakistan will be sure to put up a more established XI than their opponents. If the match was played on paper, it’d be well and truly over.
Pakistan possible XI: 1. Fakhar Zaman, 2. Mohammad Hafeez, 3. Hussain Talat, 4. Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), 5. Asif Ali, 6. Shoaib Malik, 7. Shadab Khan, 8. Faheem Ashraf, 9. Hasan Ali, 10. Mohammad Amir, 11. Usman Khan
Stats and Facts
- Zimbabwe have played just two T20Is in the last two years. They lost them both to Afghanistan this year.
- Pakistan, since the World T20 in 2016, have won 19 of 22 matches and sit first in the T20I rankings.
- Shoaib Malik just gets better with age. He averages 66.72 in his last 24 T20I innings, with 13 not outs.
Prediction
Thanks for reading.
