We are most likely to go ahead with same XI for second Test: Babar Azam

Pakistan lead the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe 1-0 after beating the hosts convincingly by an innings and 116 runs in the first encounter in Harare. Captain Babar Azam hailed his team’s efforts in the last clash and isn’t looking to tweak the winning combination in the second game.

"We won the first Test convincingly in three days, so we are most likely to go ahead with the winning combination (for the second Test),'' said Babar Azam addressing the media.

Talking about the all-round performance, Babar further said that the openers did their job with precision while the middle-order and the bowling attack dominated well.

"Our openers set the tone (in the first Test) and the middle order took forward the momentum, especially Fawad Alam whose experience was very important for us in Tests," said Azam. "Hasan Ali was outstanding and Shaheen Afridi bowled well, in fact, our bowlers dominated the first Test."

Riding on Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali’s brilliant bowling performance in the first innings, the visitors bundled out Zimbabwe for 176 and then posted 426, courtesy another hundred from Fawad Alam and some magnificent efforts from Imran Butt with the bat.

Zimbabwe were then bowled out for 134 in the second innings. Hasan rattled the Zimbabwean batting line up and returned with a five-wicket haul during the course.

The two teams will now begin the second Test on Friday in Harare. Pakistan earlier won the three-match T20I series 2-1.

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