Zimbabwe v/s Pakistan 1st Test: Match Preview

With all the problems surrounding the Zimbabwe cricket monetarily, one can’t look away from the fact that cricket plays an eminent role in the country. The country that has a falling economy with each passing day, one looks forward to cricket to provide some sanity in the midst of turmoil for any Zimbabwean.

The upcoming Test match against Pakistan might have a huge mental block on the Zimbabwean players. Rather than being occupied with bat and ball in their hand, the outfield antics have taken the front seat.

On the other hand, Pakistan will walk in as favorites considering their batting line up on a pitch that’s dry. The medium pace bowlers of Zimbabwe would work as a partner rather than a foe for them. Considering their bowling line up, the likes of Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz will make lives difficult for the opposition batsmen. Although, the pitch might not be that well versed for spin, Saeed Ajmal has time and again proved that he can bowl in any conditions quite swiftly.

The problems for the hosts lie not only outside the field but inside it as well. An unsettled opening combination and the biggest worry being the way to get 20 wickets in the match. All their bowlers are medium to some extent fast-medium in nature, which is exactly the challenge the visitors will cherish.

Pakistan will want to make amends to their last outing where they suffered 0-3 against the hands of South Africa. Before that, Sri-Lanka decimated them.

Both the teams have issues leading up to the first test. The in-form Mohammed Hafeez had strained his hamstring in the 3rd ODI and is a doubtful starter. Brendon Taylor’s availability will depend on the birth of his child; his wife was admitted to the hospital on Monday.
Series: Zimbabwe v/s Pakistan Test Series

Teams: Zimbabwe v/s Pakistan

Date: September 3-7, 2013

Match number: 1st Test

Stadium: Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe

Pitch Report: Dry but will have some swing in the morning. The batsmen aren’t going to be tested as the Test match progresses.

Probable Lineups

Zimbabwe: 1 Vusi Sibanda, 2 Tino Mawoyo, 3 Hamilton Masakadza, 4 Brendan Taylor (capt), 5 Malcolm Waller, 6 Elton Chigumbura, 7 Richmond Mutumbami (wk), 8 Prosper Utseya, 9 Brian Vitori, 10 Shingi Masakadza, 11 Tendai Chatara

Pakistan: 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Khurram Manzoor, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Younis Khan, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 6 Asad Shafiq, 7 Adnan Akmal (wk), 8 Wahab Riaz, 9 Saeed Ajmal, 10 Junaid Khan, 11 Abdur Rehman

Player to watch out for

Zimbabwe: Brendon Taylor (will be really interesting to see how he captains in such an adverse situation that his team is presently going through).

Pakistan: Junaid Khan (the early morning swing and his pace will really help this talented young fast bowler).

Prediction: Pakistan win