PAK vs ZIM 2nd T20I: Queens Sports Club Bulawayo Pitch Report

Bhargav Dixit

A glimpse from the first T20I. [Source: @ZimCricketv/X]A glimpse from the first T20I. [Source: @ZimCricketv/X]

Notwithstanding losing eight wickets for 31 runs across 43 deliveries in the first T20I at the Queens Sports Club, Zimbabwe should be confident whilst taking the field in the second T20I against Pakistan at the same venue tomorrow. Barring the last 7.1 overs of the match, the hosts didn’t really allow Pakistan to gain any significant advantage for the first 28.2 overs.

A pattern which usually plays out when a lower-ranked team challenges a comparatively upper-ranked team, the home team wasn’t able to hold their nerve at the time of needing 89 runs off 73 balls with eight wickets in hand on Sunday. A batting collapse which was initiated by a run-out off an overthrow, it unsurprisingly sucked all the momentum generated on the back of scoring over 9 runs over at the time as Zimbabwe registered a 57-run loss.

Having won and lost a couple of matches each out of their last four T20I outings against Pakistan, Zimbabwe have all the reasons in the world to believe that they can avoid a series defeat on Tuesday. With both those victories coming batting first and three out of the four matches of Pakistan’s tour of Zimbabwe 2024 being won by the team batting first, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza would be wanting to win the toss and set a total in the next match.

Queens Sports Club Bulawayo Stats And Records In T20Is

Criterion
Data
Matches Played20
Matches won batting first14
Matches won batting second6
Average 1st innings score156
Average 2nd innings score136
Average runs per over7.31

Queens Sports Club Bulawayo Pitch Report: Don’t Expect A High-Scoring Encounter

With Bulawayo set to host its fifth international match within 10 days, it would be wise to not expect a high-scoring encounter. Therefore, anything in excess of the 150-run mark has it in it to be a winning total.

Taking into consideration how 14 out of 20 T20Is (all played during the day) in the city have been won by the team batting first, it is safe to conclude that the surface gets slower with the proceedings. Spinners, as a result, will receive more assistance at this stadium.

Players To Watch Out For At Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

Sikandar Raza

Raza, 38, is the highest run-scorer and highest wicket-taker in T20Is played at this venue. He also boasts the highest innings score here.

Saim Ayub

On his way to become Pakistan’s all-format opener, Saim Ayub is the highest run-scorer across the first four matches of this tour and has also contributed with the ball in hand. At 22, he could be the solution to Pakistan’s top-order batting woes in the format.

Sufiyan Muqeem

In his six T20Is thus far, Pakistan chinaman spinner Sufiyan Muqeem has picked nine wickets at an average of 12.33, an economy rate of 5.84 and a strike rate of 12.6. Pick of the bowlers in the previous match, he should be able to trouble the Zimbabwean batters in the following clash as well.