After drawing first blood in the opening T20I, Pakistan would look to win the series today against Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe's 156 was never going to be enough against the star-studded Pakistani battle line-up.
While Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams got starts, Wesley Madhevere was the only one to convert into a big knock with an unbeaten 70.
They will hope that the experienced Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl come good today. While birthday boy, Haris Rauf got the vital breakthroughs for the hosts, Wahab Riaz was in the news for the wrong reasons after accidentally applying saliva on the ball. The umpires wiped the ball using tissues and also warned Riaz for breaching the Covid-19 regulations.
The skipper, Babar Azam was once again the batting star with a delightful 82.
Veteran, Mohammed Hafeez got some much-needed confidence with his knock of 36. Apart from Blessing Muzarabani who took two wickets, Zimbabwe struggled to contain the Pakistan batsmen.
Team News
With Shadab Khan ruled out of the first match due to a leg strain, Pakistan can look to give Shaheeh Shah Afridi and Imad Wasim a chance in today's match.
Elton Chigumbura would be keen to go out on a high after announcing his retirement from international cricket post the completion of the series.
Pitch and Conditions
With all matches being played in Rawalpindi so far, it has helped the pacers giving more movement. No rain is expected during the match with the weather to be all clear.
Probable Playing XI
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Khushdil Shah, Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Haris Rauf, Usman Qadir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain.
Zimbabwe: Chamu Chibhabha(c), Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Wesley Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Tendai Chatara.
Key Battles
Babar Azam vs Tendai Chatara
Chatara scalped Azam's wicket just when he was about to finish off the chase in the first match. Azam's strokeplay was impressive with nine boundaries and one six at a strike rate of 149.
Brendan Taylor vs Haris Rauf
Just when Taylor was opening up and Zimbabwe was going strong, Rauf got his wicket. Rauf was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets conceding 25 runs at an economy rate of 6.2. Taylor will look to give an aggressive start to Zimbabwe and he needs the support of his opening partner and skipper Chamu Chibhabha who has scored ducks in his past two matches.
Prediction
Zimbabwe has never beaten Pakistan in T20's having lost all their 12 matches. Zimbabwe has to score a ton of runs if they bat first as their bowlers are struggling to take wickets. Pakistan will look to take some risks and score heavily. Another relatively comfortable win for the hosts is surely on the cards.
Cricwizz predicts Pakistan to win the match and claim the series.
Featured Image Credits: ICC
