Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
My sheer passion for cricket has enabled me to follow this series. These are dark times for Zimbabwe, and good ones for Pakistan. If this isn’t 5-0, I’ll be surprised.
Not only did the men in green recently win the T20I Tri-Series to further enhance their position as the number one T20I team, they now play five ODIs against a Zimbabwe side severely depleted through injury and other factors.
Yes, that is where Zimbabwe are at right now. Their two main hopes in the Tri-Series, Kyle Jarvis and Solomon Mire, are out with injury. They join Graeme Cremer, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza as the absentees. Had these players been in the side, we could have hoped for a competitive series. Now, it’s say a prayer and hope for the best.
Pakistan won’t be complaining, but all this will do is fuel the rival fans’ claims that Pakistan are enjoying success against lower ranked opponents. No doubt that Pakistan were deserved Champions Trophy winners last year, but they are still striving for consistency in the ODI format. In their only ODI assignment of 2018 to date, they were thumped 5-0 by New Zealand, so here is a significant opportunity to take their record to five wins and five losses in ODIs in this calendar year so far.
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| No Solomon Mire is a huge blow for Zimbabwe |
Key to a Zimbabwe win
Can you imagine the social media meltdown if this happens? I know I’ll be all over it!
Solomon Mire was Zimbabwe’s best player in the Tri-Series, but his withdrawal due to a glute tear is a huge blow. So, who will stand up? For me, the onus is on Hamilton Mazakadza and Elton Chigumbura, two experienced players who were disappointing in the recent Tri-Series.
Also, Zimbabwe found some joy in batting first in the T20Is, where they put on competitive totals and nearly defended them, against Pakistan and Australia respectively. With Blessing Muzarabani showing some potential, he will be called on to have a good day with the ball and lead the attack well.
A huge test awaits, and I wish Zimbabwe all the best.
Key to a Pakistan win
Babar Azam returns for Pakistan to bolster their batting line up, and so too Junaid Khan and Yasir Shah to bolster the bowling stocks. Whether you agree with Azam’s ODI batting ranking or not, he has talent, and against the lower ranked sides, he puts his best foot forward. Also, Fakhar Zaman, deserved man of the series in the Tri-Series, will be keen to continue his form, along with the likes of Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed.
In this game, Pakistan need to play attacking, ruthless cricket. They have an excellent bowling attack that will be sure to test the fragile Zimbabwe line up, and with the World Cup a year away, they’ll be wanting to get their combinations right.
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| Pakistan would be feeling good after their T20I Tri-Series success. |
Possible teams
Your guess is as good as mine for the Zimbabwe team. A few uncapped players have been brought into the squad, but expect the Zimbabweans to go with at least a few experienced players.
Zimbabwe possible XI: 1. Brian Chari, 2. Chamu Chibhabha, 3. Hamilton Mazakadza (c), 4. Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, 5. Malcolm Waller, 6. Elton Chigumbura, 7. Peter Moor (wk), 8. Tendai Chisoro, 9. Wellington Mazakadza, 10. Donald Tiripano, 11. Blessing Muzarabani
Pakistan look much more settled, and will be spoilt for choice in the bowling department.
Pakistan possible XI: 1. Fakhar Zaman, 2. Imam-ul-Haq, 3. Babar Azam, 4. Shoaib Malik, 5. Asif Ali, 6. Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), 7. Shadab Khan, 8. Faheem Ashraf, 9. Hasan Ali, 10. Mohammad Amir, 11. Usman Khan/Yasir Shah
Stats and Facts
- Pakistan’s last ODI tour of Zimbabwe was in October 2015, where Zimbabwe managed to win the second match and take the game into a deciding third match. Pakistan won 2-1.
- Pakistan have not won an ODI in 2018 – the only ranked ODI team not to do so.
- Pakistan have all three matches at Bulawayo – by 104, seven and five runs respectively.
Prediction
I don’t think this series will be a tantalising one for the neutrals, and it does not promise to be competitive. However, one can only hope.
In this one, I back Pakistan to go 1-0 up.
Thanks for reading!
