Zimbabwe tour to Pakistan 2020 [Preview]
Zimbabwe is scheduled to tour Pakistan in the month of October and November to play three T20Is and three ODIs. Zimbabwe have announced preliminary training squad for the upcoming tour of Pakistan. Uncapped Faraz Akram has been included in the squad, while Tendai Chatara, Kyle Jarvis and Ryan Burl have recovered from injuries to bolster the bowling resources.
Chamu Chibhabha was appointed new captain of the one-day side earlier this year. He will lead the side for the upcoming tour to Pakistan.
The visitors will kick-start their campaign with three-match one-day series that is slated to begin from 30th October. All three matches will be played at Multan Cricket Stadium on 30th October, 1st and 3rd November respectively.
In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams to do the bulk of the scoring.
Since Jan 2018, Brendan Taylor has topped the batting charts for Zimbabwe. In 29 one-day matches, Brendan Taylor has accumulated 1068 runs at an average of 36.82 with 2 centuries and 6 six half-centuries to his name.
Another prolific player in the batting lineup is middle-order Sean Williams, who has produced impressive numbers with the bat for Zimbabwe in limited-overs cricket. Since Jan 2018, Sean Williams has accumulated 814 runs in 22 innings at an average of 45.22 with two centuries and five half-centuries to his name.
In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Tendai Chatara, Kyle Jarvis and Sikandar Raza to make up wickets in this one-day series.
On the other hand, Pakistan have yet to announce their T20I and ODI squad for the home series against Zimbabwe. The home side is expected to persist with the same group of players that toured England earlier this season.
Babar Azam will lead the side for the T20Is and ODI series against Zimbabwe. Uncapped Haider Ali is expected to be included in the one-day squad for this series. After being picked for the T20I series in England, Haider Ali certainly delivered the goods with the bat and certainly showed the selectors that he is one player to watch out for Pakistan in the future.
Usman Shinwari, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz might be included in the setup for the home series against Pakistan.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf are certainly going to feature for Pakistan in the one-day series.
Experienced duo of Muhammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik will be included in the T20I squad for Pakistan. In the three-match T20I series, Muhammad Hafeez delivered back-to-back scintillating performances to give a befitting reply to his critics. He will be looking to continue his rich vein of form in this format.
The culmination of the one-day series will see Pakistan and Zimbabwe compete in a three-match T20I series. The three matches will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 7th, 8th and 10th November respectively.
It will be interesting to see how Zimbabwe will fare against Pakistan’s star-studded bowling attack. On the other hand, Pakistan will be determined to start their home season on a positive note.
