After a spirited performance against Bangladesh that enabled them to clinch the ODI series as well as the one-off Test, Zimbabwe seem to have taken the old road again. The listless show in the current series has once again raised questions if they really belong to this league? Was the ODI series win against Shakib’s men a flash in the pan?
For the hosts, there are lots of issues to be addressed. They lack fire power at the top that is so vital during the limited overs format. Their starts have invariable been sluggish no matter what the playing conditions are. Like in the last match, despite the pitch being flat, the score board had a dismal reading after 15 powerplay overs- 40 for 2. Zimbabwe surely need to find a way to score quickly when the field is up if they are to trouble good teams at international level.
Likewise, the bowling attack has bowlers which at best can do a containing job, failure to get wickets up front has added to the misery. To make matters worse, the fielding has not been up to the mark. All in all, Brandon Taylor and company needs inspiration from somewhere to come good in the dead rubber or the white wash is pretty much on.
For Pakistan, this has been an excellent opportunity to give some of their younger men a run against the “minnows” before they face stiffer oppositions like Sri Lanka and England in the coming months. Pacer Aizaz Cheema has been a find for he has a big heart and is willing to bowl at any stage of the game. The other rookie pacer, Junaid Khan was also impressive while he delivered a superb last over in a crunch situation during the first one-dayer.
Like their junior teammates, the comeback men have also helped their cause, Sohail Tanvir and Imran Farhat may have done enough to get one more chance while as, Shoaib Malik can do the same in the last of the three match series. Add to it, the flair of Mohammad Hafeez and the experience of Younis and Misbah, Pakistan suddenly look good enough side to take on even the best.
A win here would give the hosts some kind of momentum going into the T20 leg of the tour but the kind of form Pakistan displayed during the ten wicket pasting, Zimbabwe have their work cut out.
Zimbabwe Squad: Brendan Taylor (c), Brian Vitori, Chamu Chibhabha, Christopher Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Greg Lamb, Hamilton Masakadza, Kyle Jarvis, Malcolm Waller, Prosper Utseya, Ray Price, Regis Chakabva, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Vusimuzi Sibanda.
Pakistan Squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar, Imran Farhat, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Rameez Raja, Adnan Akmal (wk), Saeed Ajmal, Yasir Shah, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan, Junaid Khan, Aizaz Cheema, Shoaib Malik.
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