PAK vs ZIM Match Preview, ICC T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12, Group 2, Match 24

Pakistan takes on Zimbabwe in match 24 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Perth on October 27. It is the third and final match of the day to be played. South Africa plays Bangladesh in the first match of the day in Sydney followed by India playing the Netherlands also in Sydney. 

 A total of 45 matches will take place during ICC T20 World Cup 2022. A total of 16 teams are part of the tournament. The ICC T20 World Cup 2022 final will be played on November 13. Pakistan and Zimbabwe have played 17 T20Is between themselves with Pakistan winning 16 and Zimbabwe just one. 

The Men in Green lost to India in their first World Cup game. Zimbabwe’s first game against South Africa ended in a nop result in Hobart after rain played spoilsport. A win is an ultimatum for both these teams heading into this clash. 

PAK vs ZIM Match Preview, ICC T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12, Group 2, Match 24

Pakistan 

The Men In Green are disappointed after losing the close game against India. They won the game after being in a winning position as Virat Kohli single-handedly took the game away from them. They are coming up against an opponent against whom they have had rich success in the past. This will be a huge advantage for the 2009 T20 World Cup champions. 

Against Pakistan, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan would like to do the bulk of the scoring. They were dismissed cheaply against India in the first game. The middle order fired in their absence and the management would hope that they keep up the good work for the remainder of the tournament. 

Talking about their bowling attack, Pakistan has one of the best pace attacks in the tournament with Haris Rauf leading the attack. He has a very good understanding of bowling in Australian conditions having played a couple of seasons in the BBL. Shaheen Shah Afridi is back to his full fitness and in Naseem Shah, they have an upcoming budding talent. The pace attack is expected to make the difference as Perth has one of the fastest pitches across venues in Australia. If the senior players on the side play to their potential, Pakistan can win this game handsomely. 

Pakistan Squad 

Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Usman Qadir. 

Standby Players: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, Shahnawaz Dahani.

Zimbabwe

The side lacks experience and big-match players to step up in big tournaments. Sikandar Raza is their most in-form batter at the moment and one expects him to have a big role in the contest. Skipper Craig Ervine and all-rounder Sean Williams are the other two senior players on the side. The bulk of the runs has to be scored by these three batters. How they play against the Pakistan pacers will be an interesting observation. 

With the ball, Blessing Muzarabani will have to lead the attack. Richard Ngarava, Brad Evans, Luke Jongwe, and Tendi Chatara will have to assist the frontline pacers. Raza has been good with his all-round game in this World Cup and might need to roll his arm over. It might well come down to how these two teams perform on the day and Pakistan’s habit of making matches interesting might keep the African nation in with a chance. 

Zimbabwe Squad 

Craig Ervine (c), Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Clive Madande, Wessely Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Sean Williams. Standby Players: Tanaka Chivanga, Innocent Kaia, Kevin Kasuza, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Victor Nyauchi.

Also Read: India vs Netherlands: India’s Predicted Playing XI Against Netherlands, ICC T20 World Cup 2022, Match 23