Pakistan’s returns in ODI cricket have been solid since their showing at the World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals. They beat West Indies in a five-match series, although they lost two dead-rubbers, and also beat Ireland in a two-match series. They would be unhappy with anything less than a win here.
The visitors are keen to experiment with different combinations and have made it clear they will allow everyone in the squad to get a game. It is a way of testing their fringe talent, an important goal for the team going forward. They will do so without the services of coach Waqar Younis, who is on his last assignment, and will want to end his tenure on a high note. Zimbabwe return to the format they are most comfortable with, after a Test match that would have left them feeling exposed. This will be their biggest test in limited-overs cricket since the tri-series against India and Sri Lanka last year, and they will want to use it as an opportunity to show their proficiency against teams regarded as tougher opposition than the likes of Bangladesh, Kenya and Ireland. As a unit, they have progressed and started off the recently-concluded one-day series against Bangladesh with two easy wins in Harare. But Bangladesh fought back hard in the third match and, although they lost that match and the series, put Zimbabwe under pressure in Bulawayo. The hosts did not respond in the way they would have liked to, losing both matches there.
Some have suggested that the Queens Sports Club is jinxed for the local team. Brendan Taylor was having none of the conspiracy theories though, and said the hosts only have themselves to blame for the poor showing at the venue and he would like them to change that record. Taufeeq Umar’s return to one-day cricket after six years has not gone too well, with scores of 3, 23 and 31 in the three ODIs he has played in 2011. He also had two disappointing scores on a flat pitch in the Test match. With attacking openers Imran Farhat and Rameez Raja both in the squad, Taufeeq could return to a Test-only role but if he does get a chance in the shorter format will want to improve his ODI record. The spotlight belonged to his new-ball partner Brian Vitori in the series against Bangladesh, but Kyle Jarvis has been plugging away quietly, and was the most successful seamer in the Test match against Pakistan. Jarvis is undoubtedly the quickest of the Zimbabwe fast bowlers, and extracts good bounce and movement from the pitch. He is disciplined and accurate, and has earned high praise from the convenor of selectors, Alistair Campbell, and the coach, Alan Butcher, being termed the man who will lead Zimbabwe’s attack going forward. Bulawayo has heated up beautifully and summer has come a few weeks early. Temperatures are topping 30 degrees Celsius, which means the pitch will dry out quickly. The grass covering on the Test track couldn’t prevent it from breaking up, and Vusi Sibanda reported cracks as early as the first day. The strip has always been favourable to spinners and is expected to be the same for the ODI. It should remain a good surface for batting as well, but the seam bowlers will have to work hard if they are to get any reward. “We would expect the attitude to be as positive as it was going into the Test match. We want to let Pakistan know that they are in for a good game of cricket.” Zimbabwe coach Alan Butcher wants the team to lift themselves for the limited-overs series “We came with a lot of youngsters and everyone must get a chance to play. But our goal still is to win,” Misbah said. He says Pakistan will not sacrifice victory for the sake of experimentation. Pakistan have four options for the openers’ positions, with Hafeez the only one guaranteed a place.
Pakistan: (probable) 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Imran Farhat/ Rameez Raja, 3 Asad Shafiq, 4 Younis Khan, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq, 6 Umar Akmal, 7 Adnan Akmal, 8 Junaid Khan, 9 Yasir Shah, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Sohail Tanvir.
Zimbabwe: (probable) 1 Brendan Taylor, 2 Vusi Sibanda, 3 Hamilton Masakadza, 4 Tatenda Taibu, 5 Forster Mutizwa/Craig Ervine, 6 Regis Chakabva, 7 Malcolm Waller, 8 Prosper Utseya, 9 Ray Price, 10 Kyle Jarvis, 11 Chris Mpofu.
