In the 24th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, Pakistan will face Zimbabwe at the Perth Cricket Stadium on 27 October (4:30 PM IST).
Pakistan and Zimbabwe will be locking horns against each other in the third game of Thursday’s triple header of the Super 12 stage in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. Both the teams are at the bottom 3 of the points table, having played a game each.
Zimbabwe escaped a defeat against South Africa due to rain interruptions and managed to get away with 1 point to their tally. They are currently standing fourth on the points table.
On the other hand, Pakistan is coming off a defeat at the hands of India in their opening game of the Super 12 stage. The failure of the top order was the reason behind their batting collapse. They are currently standing second-last on the points table.
Pakistani side is not one that will get bogged down after a gutting loss. There were so many positives from the game against India. Their never-say-die spirit while batting after their star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan got out cheaply. Shan Masood and Iftikhar Ahmed showed that this Pakistan team is not a team that will go down without a fight. With the ball, Haris Rauf was brilliant till that last over when he was hit for two consecutive sixes by Virat Kohli on the final deliveries of his spell. Even Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan were impressive. Shaheen Shah Afridi looked rusty coming in after an injury. But playing against a lesser opponent will help him get into the groove. Pakistan might bring in an extra pacer after the MCG debacle.
Zimbabwe can’t solely rely on Sikandar Raza as Pakistan’s pace attack is even more threatening than that of South Africa. The senior pros in Craig Ervine and Sean Williams need to up the ante. Zimbabwe might be forced to make changes in their XI as Richard Ngarava was injured in the last match. Brad Evans might replace him. Blessing Muzarabani would lead their pace attack along with Tendai Chatara.
In the 17 head-to-head games, Pakistan is leading the tally by 16-1 at present. This will be an essential game for both of these sides and a competitive game of cricket seems to be on the cards here once again.
Pitch:
Even though the pace bowlers can anticipate using some assistance from the deck, later on, the Perth pitch may be flatter than usual. It is typically thought of as a batting-friendly surface, and it is anticipated that it will continue to be so for this game as well. On this track, the spinners have little assistance.
Weather:
The temperature is expected to hover around 21°C on the matchday with 44% humidity and 24 km/hr wind speed. There are no chances of precipitation during the game.
Pakistan vs Zimbabwe (Head to Head)
Matches played: 17
Pakistan: 16
Zimbabwe: 1
Pakistan possible XI
Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Haider Ali, Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah
Zimbabwe possible XI
Craig Ervine (C), Regis Chakabva (WK), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Wessly Madhevere, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Richard Ngarva/Brad Evans, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani
Note: The match begins at 4:30 PM IST (27 Oct). In India, the match will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network. Online viewers can follow the live-action via Disney+Hotstar.
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