Pakistan seek swing in ODI form

Neither Pakistan nor Zimbabwe had the World Cup they would have wanted but for one of them, the aftermath was worse. Pakistan went from a tournament in which their batsmen consistently let their potent pacers down, to a series where the same happened, except that the attack had also lost some of its zip.

Their 3-0 whitewash at the hands of Bangladesh has left them ninth in the ODI rankings – which would mean, as things stand, they would miss out on the the 2017 Champions Trophy – and anything other than a 3-0 win over Zimbabwe will see them drop points. Although they have the safety of knowing that even if that happens, they won’t slide any further down the rankings because Ireland are far behind on just 50 points, it will widen the gap between them, on 87 points, and West Indies and Bangladesh, who are on 88 points each, which means there is a lot more on this for Pakistan.

As is the case for Zimbabwe, who are a distant 11th on the rankings on 45 points and who are aiming to become a top-eight team in time to automatically qualify for the 2019 World Cup. The only way to do that will be for Zimbabwe to start winning. Admirable as their competitive efforts have been since Dav Whatmore took over – and their improvement has been apparent as they stay in games for longer and take them deeper – it has not translated into success yet. If that does not change soon, Zimbabwe’s World Cup aftermath could go the same way as Pakistan’s.

Form guide

Pakistan LLLLW (last five matches, most recent first)

Zimbabwe LLLLW

In the spotlight

The results of his first series as captain did not go as planned but Azhar Ali’s individual performance suggested at least something went right for Pakistan in Bangladesh. Azhar finished as his team’s highest run-scorer and notched up his maiden ODI ton. If he can lead from the front in that way going forward, Pakistan seem in good hands.

If Vusi Sibanda thought his relationship with the pull shot was rocky, he must know now is the time to consider divorce. He was out both times in the T20s playing the stroke, although he had made 49 runs before bringing it out the second time, which would have given some confidence ahead of the ODIs. Sibanda must know this is possibly his last chance to establish himself in the team after a patchy past record, which saw him dropped twice in the last year. This tour is the first of a busy winter for Zimbabwe and they will be using it to nail down the group of players they want to work with in future. Sibanda has usually been part of that group but if he wants to stay in it, the runs must come and the pull must go.

Team news

Pakistan will field a more experienced outfit than their T20 unit with Junaid Khan returning to the attack and Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq adding strength to the line-up. Haris Sohail will bat at No.4 with legspinner Yasir Shah doing the bulk of the spin-bowling duties. Wahab Riaz was rested for the second T20 after being struck on the hand in the first but should return for the ODIs.

Pakistan: (probable) 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2      Ahmed Shahzad, 3 Azhar Ali (capt), 4 Haris Sohail, 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Asad Shafiq, 7 Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), 8 Yasir Shah, 9 Wahab Riaz, 10 Mohammad Sami, 11 Junaid Khan

Vusi Sibanda should return to the top of the order, as he did in the T20s for a first ODI and may be partnered by Chamu Chibhabha with Hamilton Masakadza at No.3. Although Charles Coventry is only part of Zimbabwe’s long-term T20 plans, he may be used at No.4, unless Zimbabwe are brave enough to give their debutant Roy Kaia a run. The pace pack could see Chris Mpofu bowl alongside Tinashe Panyangara and Brian Vitori.

Zimbabwe: (probable) 1 Chamu Chibhabha (wk), 2 Vusi Sibanda, 3 Hamilton Masakadza, 4 Charles Coventry/Roy Kaia, 5 Craig Ervine, 6 Elton Chigumbira (capt), 7 Sean Williams, 8 Sikandar Raza, 9 Tinashe Panyangara, 10 Tawana Mupariwa/Chris Mpofu, 11 Brian Vitori

Pitch and conditions

The condition of a surface that will be played on five times in the space of ten days will be less of a concern than the fact that the avoidance of searing temperatures is over. While the T20s started once the sun had gone down at 7pm, the ODIs will kick off three hours earlier, at 4pm, when temperatures are still likely to be in the 40s so bowling first will be a challenge. Add to that that the surface has promised nothing but runs so far, and it could tune out to be a tough outing for fielding sides.

Stats and trivia

Zimbabwe have never won an ODI series against Pakistan and have only beaten them three times in 48 meetings, the most recent in 2013.

Wahab Riaz is Pakistan’s leading bowler this year, with 20 wickets from 10 matches. He is 14 scalps behind the leader, Mitchell Starc, but may want to use this series to gain some ground.

Quotes

“Looking at the first two games I think our bowling let us down and also the fielding where we gave away many chances and we didn’t take three or four catches and that makes a big difference at the end of the day.”

Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura