Pakistan is set to face Zimbabwe in the first ODI of a white-ball series on November 24 at Queen’s Sports Club. Led by Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan seeks to leverage its recent ODI success against Australia, despite resting key players. Zimbabwe, captained by Craig Ervine and boasting notable players like Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza, aims to challenge the visitors. The match will be streamed live on the FanCode app.
The Pakistan cricket team is preparing for a significant white-ball series against Zimbabwe, which comprises three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and an equal number of T20 Internationals. The opening ODI is set to take place on Sunday, November 24, at the Queen’s Sports Club. Under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan arrives after securing a 2-1 series victory against Australia, establishing themselves as the overwhelming favorites in this matchup against the Zimbabwean side.
Although Pakistan is resting star players Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi during the series, their squad depth is considerable, allowing them to maintain high expectations for a successful outcome. Conversely, Zimbabwe has formed a robust team for the series with Craig Ervine designated as captain. With the inclusion of seasoned all-rounder Sean Williams and key player Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe aims to present a formidable challenge to their opponents.
Historically, Pakistan has a dominant record against Zimbabwe in ODIs, having won 54 out of the 62 previous encounters. The teams’ head-to-head statistics indicate 5 victories for Zimbabwe, with 2 matches not producing results and one match ending in a tie.
The squads for both teams are as follows:
Zimbabwe: Craig Ervine (c), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Joylord Gumbie, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brandon Mavuta, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, and Richard Ngarava.
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Agha Salman, Shahnawaz Dahani, and Tayyab Tahir.
Fans can look forward to the live streaming of the match, which begins at 1:00 PM IST on the FanCode app and website, given that there will be no official television broadcast of the series in India.
The upcoming ODI series marks a vital phase in both teams’ preparations, particularly as Pakistan seeks to build on its recent successes against Australia. The two teams have historically competed against each other, creating an interesting dynamic heading into this series. Zimbabwe’s willingness to field a strong team suggests they aim to capitalize on any weaknesses from the Pakistani side, especially with their rested players. The absence of key players for Pakistan will undoubtedly shift some focus towards how well the remaining squad can perform under pressure in Zimbabwe.
In summary, the first ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe promises to be an engaging match, with Pakistan entering as strong favorites despite resting key players. Zimbabwe, under the leadership of Craig Ervine, is well-equipped to pose a significant challenge. Cricket enthusiasts should take note of the historic context of the matchup, as well as the implications for both teams moving forward in the series. Fans in India can catch the live action through FanCode, ensuring they do not miss a moment of this exciting series.
Original Source: www.outlookindia.com
