Pakistan vs Zimbabwe – 2nd One-Day International Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Pakistan vs Zimbabwe taking place? Sunday, 1st November, 2020 – 07:00 (UK)
Where is Pakistan vs Zimbabwe taking place? Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
What is the expected weather for Pakistan vs Zimbabwe? 28c sunny
What channel is Pakistan vs Zimbabwe on? The match will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Pakistan vs Zimbabwe? The match will not be streamed live in the UK
Where can I get tickets for Pakistan vs Zimbabwe? This match will be played without spectators
LAST MEETING
Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 26 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
PAKISTAN
- Pakistan held on to beat Zimbabwe in the opening one-day international on Friday as after posting 281/8, the tourists were doing an excellent job in the chase before Shaheen Shah Afridi returned to complete a five-wicket haul and leave them just 26 runs short.
- The all-round performance was solid without being spectacular at any stage as they did not overly convince with the bat until some late big hitting bolstered their total and the top order will certainly want to improve here.
- Afridi and Wahab Riaz combined to take nine wickets overall so the rest of their bowling attack will hope to make a greater impact here and though there were some performances that were under-par, the same group of eleven players will likely get another opportunity here.
ZIMBABWE
- Despite their abysmal record against Pakistan continuing in the first ODI of this three-match series, there were arguably more positives for Zimbabwe to take from the opening game than there was for the hosts despite falling short in their run chase.
- The star of the show was veteran Brendan Taylor who hit a stunning 112 from 117 balls while he was ably supported by Wesley Madhevere but they will be frustrated at not seeing the run chase through.
- They will ultimately be looking for more of their batsmen to cope with the pace and swing of the left-arm duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Wahab Riaz, and while the hosts will be hoping to make improvements, so will this Zimbabwe side with both bat and ball.
THE PREDICTION
The first one-day international in Rawalpindi was much closer than anybody imagined as Zimbabwe put up a great show to take regular wickets and keep the hosts under 300, and then a fifth—wicket partnership of 119 between Brendan Taylor and Wesley Madhevere got them within touching distance but they ultimately fell short. The fundamental difference between the two performances was that more of Pakistan’s team contributed overall while Zimbabwe relied on a couple of batsmen, and ultimately that is where they fell short. The gap between the two teams is only likely to become more pronounced with every game they play as the hosts will likely fine-tune their performance and they have the far greater upside. Expect a more comfortable win here for the hosts and Shaheen Shah Afridi to lead the way with the ball once again.
