Cricket Match Prediction | Zimbabwe vs Pakistan | 1st ODI | Nov 24 – Can ZIM dominate PAK in the first match?

ZIM vs PAK Match Analysis

Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, will host the first ODI of a three-match ODI series between Zimbabwe and Pakistan at 1:30 pm BST on November 24, 2024. Zimbabwe last played a one-day international in January 2024 during their tour of Sri Lanka, where they lost the series 0-2. Earlier, in December 2023, they hosted Ireland but failed to secure a single victory, losing that series 0-2 as well. Over the past four years, Zimbabwe has played six home series, managing to win only two.

Pakistan will tour Zimbabwe without several key players, as Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah are absent from their ODI squad. Mohammad Rizwan, coming off a successful stint as captain in Australia, faces a new challenge leading a side with a revamped bowling attack.

ZIM vs PAK Team Preview & Squads

Zimbabwe 

Zimbabwe have struggled in their last six ODI matches, losing four, with the remaining two ending without a result. Their recent performances at home have also been underwhelming. The squad relies on the experience and leadership of senior players Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, and Sean Williams.

The three most seasoned players above will be the key to a competitive total in the batting order. Tinotenda Maposa, an uncapped batting all-rounder, is a guy to keep an eye on.

The ZIM will seek Richard Ngrava and Blessing Muzarabani to spearhead the attack in the bowling department. This team doesn’t have any additional bowlers with promise. Faraz Akram has played two ODIs, but Trevor Gwandu has not yet made his debut. The best choice in this group after Muzrabani and Ngrava, is Brandon Mavuta, a right-arm leg break bowler with 10 wickets from 12 games at an average of 34.9.

Zimbabwe Squads

Zimbabwe

Craig Ervine, Joylord Gumbie, Clive Madande, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Dion Myers, Sean Williams, Brian Bennett, Faraz Akram, Brandon Mavuta, Sikandar Raza, Trevor Gwandu, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Tinotenda Maposa, and Tashinga Musekiwa.

Pakistan

Pakistan will aim for another series win in Zimbabwe, building on their impressive performance in Australia. With Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique set to continue as openers, the team will feature a new number three batter in the absence of Babar Azam.

Agha Salman and Kamran Ghulam, both all-rounders, did not bat during PAK’s most recent two victories over Australia. When they did play in the opening game of that series, which Pakistan lost, their performances were lackluster. There is plenty at stake for these two. During this journey, they will be asked to demonstrate their abilities. Irfan Khan is another all-round player in the bottom middle order who the Pakistani selectors will be keeping a careful eye on.

The bowling attack will be led by Haris Rauf. The other important pacers on this team would be Mohammad Hasnain and Shahnawaz Dahani. The hosts should have a difficult time against this elite pace three.

Pakistan Squads

Pakistan

Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Haseebullah Khan, Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Tayyab Tahir, Aamer Jamal, Salman Agha, Kamran Ghulam, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, and Shahnawaz Dahani.

Zimbabwe vs Pakistan outfield report 

Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

Six of the previous ten ODIs played at this Bulawayo location have been won by teams batting first. It’s a nice place to bat, and both sides will discover that scoring runs is a safer option than trying to reach a competitive total.

The high temperature in Bulawayo will be 27 degrees Celsius on this overcast day.

In the last ten ODI matches played here, the average first innings score has been 251 runs, making it a batting-friendly surface.  

ZIM vs PAK Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

In the last five games, Pakistan won four and Zimbabwe won none.

Zimbabwe vs Pakistan Prediction

Cricket analysts predict Pakistan has a 77% chance of winning.

Disclaimer: This cricket prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.