Pakistan Playing 11 vs Zimbabwe- 2nd T2OI, Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024

Pakistan will look to seal the T20I series against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo on Tuesday, riding on a 57-run victory in the first game.

Despite a mid-innings slump, a late surge from Tayyab Tahir and Irfan Khan led Men in Green to a competitive 165 which ultimately proved too much for the hosts.

Visitors bowlers led by Sufiyan Muqeem and Haris Rauf then dismantled Zimbabwe's batting lineup, capitalizing on their familiar lower-middle-order fragility.

While Saim Ayub's inclusion and aggressive start provided early momentum, the visitors will need more consistency from our middle order, particularly captain Salman Ali Agha.

Here is what can you expect from the Pakistan playing 11 in the 2nd T2OI.

Pakistan Squad

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Saim Ayub, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wicket-keeper), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan (wicket-keeper), Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wicket-keeper)

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Pakistan Playing 11 vs Zimbabwe- 2nd T2OI, Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024

Openers: Omair Yousuf, Saim Ayub

Omair Yousuf and Saim Ayub are likely to retain their places as openers for Men in Green in the second T20I against Zimbabwe. The duo will look to provide a brisk start in the second ODI.

While Yousuf managed a 16-ball 13 in the 1st T2OI, his intent and stroke-making remain valuable, particularly on batting-friendly pitches like Bulawayo.

Ayub, on the other hand, was the aggressor, smashing 24 off 18 balls with two boundaries and a six. His ability to find gaps early and rotate strike effectively adds versatility to the top order.

Middle-order batsmen and allrounders: Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Jahandad Khan

The middle order will likely remain the same with Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Tayyab Tahir, and Jehandad Khan in it for the second T20I against Zimbabwe.

The wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan anchored the innings with a solid 39 off 30 balls in the opener but fell at a crucial juncture.

Skipper Salman Ali Agha was not able to get going and managed just 13 off 19 balls which raised T2O exploits.

Tayyab Tahir and Irfan Khan were outstanding with an unbeaten 65-run partnership off just 34 deliveries.

Tahir's composed 39 off 25 and Irfan's explosive 27 off 15 provided the late impetus Pakistan needed.

Bowlers: Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufyan Moqim, Abrar Ahmed

Pakistan's bowling unit is likely to be Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Abrar Ahmed.

Haris Rauf led the attack in the last match and conceded just 17 runs in his three overs at an economy of 5.70. Left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem impressed with his four-over spell, claiming 3 for 20 and dismantling Zimbabwe's lower order.

Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed gave glimpses of his wicket-taking ability but was slightly expensive, giving away 28 runs in 3.3 overs. Abbas Afridi, on the other hand, remained economical, bowling two tidy overs for just 12 runs.