Pakistan look to unearth new players (Preview)

After their fairly tale readmission to test cricket marked with a resounding win in one-off test and ODI series against Bangladesh, Zimbabwe let slip the decent position to lose against Pakistan. The young and raw African side did compete well against Pakistan for three and half days of test match before a batting collapse saw them loose control over the game. The game just showed Zimbabwe’s inexperience in the format and how much work they need to go through before taking on the big boys in test cricket.

To be fair with them, though, Zimbabwe didn’t too that badly against the tourists. Just one and half session of reckless batting cost them the match. Now they take on Misbah-ul-Haq’s men in ODI’s for the five match series starting at Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe early this summer had a confidence boosting series win against Bangladesh. The win was largely due to the performance from their top order and young left arm fast bowler Brain Vitori.

Opener Vusimuzi Sibanda contributed heavily, senior batsmen Hamilton Masakadza, Tatenda Taibu and skipper Brendan Taylor too contributed to the winning cause. Vitori was sensational in his debut series claiming consecutive fifers in his first two matches. Former skipper Prosper Utseya not only stifled runs in the middle overs, the off-spinner also was amongst wickets regularly.

As they found in the test match, Pakistan will be altogether a different challenge despite the fact Asian side has rested some key players for the tour. Zimbabwe young batters struggled against Bangladesh spinners and Saeed Ajmal and Co. pose even a serious threat. For Taylor’s men to compete against Pakistan, they need to play to their strengths and cut down on the mistakes.

A good performance from senior guys will hold the hosts in a good stead and it will definitely run on the youngsters. Team management will be reminding the players virtues of good fielding and catching. Their otherwise fielding performance in the test match that saw them drop half a dozen simple catches did dented them hard.

For Pakistan, the series against lesser opponent like Zimbabwe provides a good opportunity to blood young guns in. In the test match, their fast bowling trio has only one match experience between them. It was one of them, Aizaz Cheema who played a crucial role in Pakistan win taking eight wickets in the match. And, by the look of things, more debuts will be handed over. Young left hander Rameez Raja is favorite to make his debut.

The match should also mark return of former skipper Shoaib Malik after a hiatus of almost one year. Pakistan batting order will be a good mix of experience and young talent. Shoaib, skipper Misbah, Younis and in-form Mohammad Hafeez will provide stability to the batting line and Umar Akmal, Raja and Asad Shafiq provide explosiveness and bubble to the set up.

After being left out of playing eleven for the test match, left arm pacer Sohail Tanvir should be back to lead the pace attack. It will be interesting whether Pakistan go with second spinner Yasir Shah to partner Ajmal.

Pakistan start clear favourites to win the match. But going by the tourists’ unpredictability and Zimbabwe’s history of effecting upsets, the hosts will feel they can sneak in with another result favouring them.

Pakistan: 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.

Zimbabwe: 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