Mon, 14 Mar 2011 - Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, World Cup 2011, 33rd match Group A - Preview

After having won three games on a trot in the tournament, it took Ross Taylor’s blistering century and subsequent defeat at the hands of New Zealand to have Pakistan in a familiar position.  All of a sudden the side that was brimming with confidence in earlier matches looks unsettled and had to contend with a controversy as well.

Umar Akmal tipped to replace his brother Kamran who had poor show behind the stumps as wicketkeeper is reportedly alleged to have feigned the finger injury due to which he won’t be able to don keeping gloves. Team management had to do rearguard action and insisted that Umar’s injury wasn’t a fake one.

Shahid Afridi led team is keen to put the New Zealand defeat and Akmal brothers’ controversy behind and score a convincing win against Zimbabwe to get back the confidence, morale and momentum.

If Pakistan play to their potential they shouldn’t have a problem in achieving their immediate goal but then it is Pakistan and one is never sure about which Pakistan turns up on the field.

Zimbabwe haven’t had a good tournament so far and have lacked a fighting spirit of their past sides against big teams. They would be keen to come up with a determined performance and make life difficult for Pakistan.

They would draw inspiration from the fact that Pakistan side is a susceptible to the upsets but would also know that if ‘switched on’ Pakistan side turns up then they are in for some trouble.

The pitch in the Pallekele has been good one for batting and has offered some help to the bowlers as well.

Pakistan

Openers have miserably failed in all four encounters but have got backing from the team management that should inspire them to give their team a solid start.

Middle order is in safe hands and with Abdur Razzaq scoring a half-century against New Zealand; Pakistan looks a decent batting side.

Bowlers, Razzaq and Shoab Akhter in particular, got a pasting in the last game and there have been suggestions from formers players of giving Wahab Riaz and off spinner Saeed Ajmal a go.

The spotlight, however, will be on under fire wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal’s performance behind the stump and he would be keen to erase haunting memories of New Zealand game.

Squad

Shahid Afridi (Capt), Misbah-ul-Haq, Ahmad Shahzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Abdur Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Syed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Shoab Akhter and Umar Gul, Coach: Waqar Younis

Zimbabwe

Africa side will be happy with Brendon Taylor returning back to the form thanks to the fluent innings against Sri Lanka. Taylor was well supported by his partner Regis Chakabva who also played a gritty innings but middle order is yet to fire.

Skipper Elton Chigumbura has looked off color with both bat and ball; he needs to inspire his side by leading from the front.

Bowling effort is being shouldered by senior spinners Raymond Price and Prosper Utseya both of whom have been very miser but have lacked support from other bowlers that hasn’t helped to Zimbabwe’s cause. 

Squad:Brendan Taylor (wk,) Charles Coventry, Christopher Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Elton Chigumbura (c,) Graeme Cremer, Greg Lamb, Prosper Utseya, Ray Price, Regis Chakabva,  Shingirai Masakadza, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Terry Duffin, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Coach: Alan Butcher