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The stage is set for an exciting contest as Zimbabwe take on Pakistan in the opening match of the three-match T20I series at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. Zimbabwe will aim to use their home advantage to turn the tables on Pakistan, while the visitors, fresh off their ODI series win, will look to continue their dominance.
Teams Preview
Zimbabwe Preview
Zimbabwe enter this series looking to rebuild momentum after a tough period in international cricket. Led by Sikandar Raza, the hosts will depend on their captain’s all-round abilities to lead them in both departments.
Zimbabwe have also enjoyed success at the Queens Sports Club, winning their last five T20Is at this venue, which will boost their confidence heading into the game.
Predicted Playing XI:
Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Clive Madande, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Wesley Madhevere, Brandon Mavuta, Tashinga Musekiwa
Pakistan Preview
Pakistan, under the leadership of interim captain Salman Agha, will feature a mix of young talent and experienced campaigners. The visitors will want to maintain their momentum after winning the ODI series and secure an early lead in the T20I format.
Pakistan’s bowling unit, featuring a mix of pace and spin, will look to exploit the favorable conditions at Queens Sports Club to trouble the Zimbabwean batsmen.
Predicted Playing XI:
Salman Agha (c), Sahibzada Farhan, Haseebullah Khan, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, Sufyan Muqeem, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Pitch Report
The surface at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, offers something for both batters and bowlers. Fast bowlers may find some assistance early on, while batters who settle in can exploit the true bounce and fast outfield. Spinners will need to rely on accuracy, as the track is not expected to provide much turn.
- Average First Innings Score: 154
- Winning Trend: Teams batting first have won 9 of the last 10 T20Is at this venue.
Weather Forecast
The weather in Bulawayo is expected to be sunny, with a gentle breeze throughout the day. The temperature will hover around 30°C during the match.
Toss Prediction
Given the recent trends at Queens Sports Club, the team winning the toss is likely to bat first and aim for a competitive total around 170.
Head-to-Head Record
- Total Matches: 19
- Pakistan Wins: 16
- Zimbabwe Wins: 2
- No Result: 1
Zimbabwe’s famous one-run victory over Pakistan during the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup will be fresh in their minds, but Pakistan’s overall dominance in the format cannot be ignored.
Winning Prediction
Pakistan will enter this contest as slight favorites, given their superior record and recent form. However, Zimbabwe’s familiarity with the conditions and home advantage make them a formidable opponent. Expect a closely fought game with Pakistan’s depth in both batting and bowling likely tipping the scales.
Prediction: Pakistan to win
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