ZIM vs PAK 1st ODI Preview: Key Players And Stats, Live Streaming, Pitch Report, Probable XIs

Aakash Saini∙ Updated: Nov 23 2024, 2:30 PM | 3 Min Read

ZIM vs PAK 1st ODI Preview [Source: @ZimCricketv/x]

Zimbabwe will host Pakistan in the first ODI of their three-match series on November 23 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The series marks the first set of ODI fixtures for the Zimbabwe cricket team since their three-match rubber in Sri Lanka back in January this year.

ZIM vs PAK 1st ODI: Match Details And Live Streaming

ZIM vs PAK 1st ODI Preview: Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe will be making their return to ODI cricket through the upcoming series for the first time since January this year. Back then, they lost their three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka, and also lost a home series to Ireland by identical 0-2 margins. In a bid to attain some positive momentum, it is imperative for Craig Ervine and co. to take the fight to Pakistan if they aim to seal a spot at the 2027 ODI World Cup.

ZIM vs PAK 1st ODI Preview: Pakistan

The Pakistan cricket team recently scripted history by winning an ODI series in Australia for the first time in over two decades. Under the new leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan fast bowlers took centre-stage, with Haris Rauf delivering a ‘Player of the Series’ performance by picking up 10 wickets from three matches. Among the batters, Abdullah Shafique and captain Rizwan himself came up with handy runs to rescue Pakistan with critical knocks. Overall, the ‘Men in Green’ will be touted as favourites to wallop Zimbabwe at the latter’s home ground.

ZIM vs PAK 1st ODI Pitch Report: How Will Bulawayo Surface Behave?

The Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo hosted several matches of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier last year, and the average first innings total in its final five games turned out to be 244. The surface here tends to be friendly for fast bowlers, but batters can score big runs upon settling in. The captain winning the toss might be tempted to bat first owing to recent results here.

---

ALSO READ

Pakistan's Shocking Changes Revealed! Aaqib Javed Drops Plans Ahead Of Champions Trophy

---

ZIM vs PAK 1st ODI: Key Players And Stats

• Abdullah Shafique: 336 runs in last 10 matches, Batting Average: 37.33, SR: 82.96
• Sean Williams: 384 runs in last 4 matches, Batting Average: 96.00, SR: 138.62
• Richard Ngarav: 15 wickets in last 8 matches, Economy: 4.87, SR: 24.33
• Haris Rauf: 21 wickets in last 10 matches, Economy: 6.50, SR: 24.00

ZIM vs PAK 1st ODI: Probable Playing XIs 

Zimbabwe Probable XI: Joylord Gumbie, Dion Myers, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c), Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza, Clive Madande (wk), Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Faraz Akram and Trevor Gwandu

Pakistan Probable XI: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Rizwan (c and wk), Kamran Ghulam, Agha Salman, Irfan Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain

ZIM vs PAK 1st ODI: Winner Prediction

On the basis of recent record and superior head-to-head record, in-form Pakistan will start out as favourites to take a lead in the three-match ODI series.

---

ALSO READ

PCB To Appoint Shahid Aslam As New Batting Coach Before Zimbabwe Series: Report

---