Zimbabwe will look to level the three-match T20I series against Pakistan in Bulawayo after a 57-run loss in the opener exposed their middle-order frailties.
A promising counterattack after losing early wickets by Tadiwanashe Marumani and Sikandar Raza, which powered them to 75 for 2 in eight overs, went up in smoke as the hosts lost their last eight wickets for just 31 runs.
Raza’s brilliance with both bat and ball was a bright spot, but Chevron’s inability to finish strong continues to haunt them.
Their batting collapse wasn’t an isolated incident—this weakness has troubled them in previous games, including their previous T20 World Cup campaigns.
Also read: Pakistan Playing 11 vs Zimbabwe- 2nd T2OI, Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024
Zimbabwe Squad
Sikandar Raza (captain), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande (wicket-keeper), Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wicket-keeper), Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava
Zimbabwe Playing 11 vs Pakistan- 2nd T2OI, Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024
Openers: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani
Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani are likely to continue as Chevron’s top-order batters in the second T20I against Pakistan.
While Bennett managed only six runs off five balls in the opener, his intent and ability to rotate the strike remain crucial for setting the tone in the powerplay.
On the other hand, Marumani was the pick of the lot, with an aggressive 33 off 20 balls, with four boundaries and a six.
His strike rate of 165.00 goes to show how he could control the bowlers, especially in the early overs. His partnership with Bennett will be the key for them to challenge Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack.
Middle-order batsmen and allrounders: Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (captain), Ryan Burl, Clive Madande (W), Wessly Madhevere
Their middle order for the 2nd T20I against Pakistan will depend upon captain Sikandar Raza and also Ryan Burl, Clive Madande, and Wessly Madhevere.
Raza, their most experienced player has been in a stellar run of form in T2O and was one of the standout for Chevron’s in the 1st T20.
Ryan Burl is a dangerous hitter and is a valuable middle-order bat. The wicket-keeper batter, Clive Madande has been solid and has made a good impact even when the game was in a pressure situation. Handy all-rounder Wessly Madhevere adds to their depth.
Bowlers: Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Brandon Mavuta
They are likely to field the same bowling attack for the second T20I, and Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani are expected to lead the chart again.
Ngarava and Muzarabani, though leaking 41 each in their four-over spells in the opener, are crucial to Chevron’s chances for their ability to extract bounce and movement.