Pakistan ready for Zimbabwe challenge

Pakistan will play 2 T20Is and 3 ODIs

An experienced Pakistani side is all set to take on a spirited Zimbabwe team, in a short series, featuring two T20 Internationals and three ODIs. Pakistan’s brief stint in the African nation, will be followed by the all-important ‘home’ series against England in the UAE.

The Zimbabwe tour will be an opportunity for youngsters like Imran Khan, Aamer Yamin, Bilal Asif and Imad Wasim, who are on their maiden International tour, to perform well and cement their spot in the playing XI. But apart from the presence of youngsters in the squad, Pakistan have a fairly unchanged team from their victorious tour of Sri Lanka last month.

Two of the prominent omissions from the Pakistani team include the experienced Younis Khan, who has been struggling with bad form ever since the World Cup in March this year, and their star spinner Saeed Ajmal, who has been out of the side due to suspect bowling action.

The big plus for Pakistan though, will be the return from injury of their bowling spearhead Wahab Riaz, who had injured himself during the Sri Lanka tour. Another prominent member to make a comeback from injury will be Sohaib Maqsood. The stylish batsman, who had a decent run in the World Cup, will be hoping to come good against the minnows.

The experienced Shahid Afridi will captain the team in the T20 Internationals, while Azhar Ali will be the skipper in the ODI format. Sarfraz Ahmed will be another player missing from the Pakistani camp, because of Hajj commitments.

Zimbabwe too, have made quite a few changes, from the side that played New Zealand recently. Notable among them include Richmond Mutumbami, who replaced Chakabva in the playing XI. Also, the pacer Taurai Muzarabani has been included. He played the only T20 match against New Zealand but is yet to play an ODI.

Zimbabwe selector Kenyon Ziehl is confident his team will do well, despite the recent drubbing against New Zealand. "The dynamic of the squad is made up of a calm and aggressive combination for the Pakistan series. It's a squad based on building a performance-related culture and giving a platform to the younger future players to prove their ability”, he said as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

Pakistan though will be the favourites going into the tour, having recently beaten Sri Lanka. They will be looking to get the better of the minnows, when the series commences in another two days, before they play England next month.