Pakistan’s cricket team faces Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on 1st December to prove a point in the shortest format. Men in Green face Zimbabwe in a 3-match T20 series after sealing the ODI series.
The team will face its own set of challenges and likely test its depth and skills, as key players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah have been rested. Salman Ali Agha will lead a revamped side looking to bounce back from a recent 0-3 T20I drubbing against Australia.
The visitors enter the series ranked seventh in the ICC T20I rankings, seven spots ahead of Zimbabwe. Despite their recent ODI success, Pakistan’s T20I performance has been inconsistent, making this series a critical opportunity for redemption and squad evaluation.
Also read: PAK vs ZIM Match Preview- 1st T2OI, Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024
Pakistan Squad
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, 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)
Pakistan Playing 11 vs Zimbabwe- 1st T2OI, Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024
Openers: Sahibzada Farhan, Haseebullah (W)
Men in Green are likely to open with Sahibzada Farhan and Haseebullah as their openers for the 1st T20I against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
Farhan who returned to the T20I setup in Australia after impressive domestic performances is likely to open against Zimbabwe.
Young Haseebullah who has been making super consistent in PSL and domestic cricket is likely to open with him.
Middle-order batsmen and allrounders: Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas , Muhammad Irfan Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Jahandad Khan
Salman Ali Agha will bring stability and a wealth of experience from international and domestic cricket.
Minhas has impressed with his all-round performances in domestic T20 tournaments which has earned him a spot in this crucial series.
Muhammad Irfan Khan, Tayyab Tahir, and Jahandad Khan accompany them. Irfan is another aggressive batsman who drew praise for a fantastic inning that he played recently in the National T20 Cup.
Tayyab Tahir will try and prove himself as the better finisher, whereas Jahandad is another emerging player with big game experience and will be a test of his multi-attitude skills under pressure.
Bowlers: Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufyan Moqim, Mohammad Hasnain
The bowling attack for the 1st T20I against Zimbabwe is likely to feature three seam bowlers with Left Arm Chinaman. Haris Rauf, a proven match-winner in the shortest format will lead the pack with his lethal pace.
Mohammad Hasnain will partner with him, whose express speed and knack for breakthroughs make him a key weapon in their arsenal.
Joining the pace duo is Mohammad Abbas Afridi who is fresh off a stellar domestic season.
Sufyan Moqim, a left-arm chinaman will bring guile.