Pakistan, riding high on their emphatic series win, will face Zimbabwe in the third T20I at Queen’s Sports Club, Bulawayo.
Pakistan, with series already in the bag, will have the chance to test its bench strength, while Zimbabwe shall look for a morale boost in order to finish strongly.
The second T20I was a complete massacre for Zimbabwe at the hands of Pakistan, as Sufiyan Muqeem’s 5 wickets for 3 destroyed the Zimbabwean team for the lowest total in their T20I history as they scored 57.
There was promise at the outset by Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani, but nothing much else was done afterward.
For Zimbabwe, the spotlight will be on Sikandar Raza to anchor the innings, and with the ball, Blessing Muzarabani has a lot to make up for from the series so far. Pakistan is the favorite to get the clean sweep going, led by the form of Saim Ayub and Omair Yousuf.
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PAK vs ZIM Match Preview- 3rd T2OI, Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024
PAK vs ZIM 3rd T2OI Date and Venue
The PAK vs ZIM 3rd T20I will be held on Thursday (December 05) at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. The game will begin at 5:00 PM IST and 01:30 PM local time.
Squads:
Pakistan
Salman Ali Agha will lead the Pakistan team in the 3rd PAK vs ZIM T2OI.
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, Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan (wicket-keeper), Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wicket-keeper)
Zimbabwe
Sikandar Raza will lead the Zimbabwe team in the 3rd PAK vs ZIM T20I.
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
PAK vs ZIM Key Battles
Sufiyan Muqeem vs. Zimbabwe’s Top Order
After his record-breaking 5 for 3 in the second T20I, all eyes will be on Sufiyan Muqeem as he faces a Zimbabwe lineup desperate for redemption.
His wrist spin, particularly the wrong’un, tormented the hosts and triggered a dramatic collapse.
Zimbabwe’s openers, Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani, who attacked effectively in the Powerplay last time, must find a way to neutralize Muqeem’s threat if they hope to rebuild their innings.
Sikandar Raza vs. Haris Rauf
Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza has been quiet for most of this series, failing to anchor the innings at crucial times.
His duel with Rauf could determine how Zimbabwe posted a challenge. His experience in counterattacking and his understanding of death overs by Rauf could help Zimbabwe post a competitive score.
Saim Ayub and Omair Yousuf vs. Zimbabwe’s Powerplay Bowlers
Pakistan’s opening pair seems confident as they chase those targets quite easily. Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava have not been able to hold the momentum as they gave away runs at the start of the game. Zimbabwe will require early breakthroughs to stay in the contest.
PAK vs ZIM Key Players
PAK: Sofiyan Moqeem, Saim Ayub, Haris Rauf, Irfan Khan, Abrar Ahmed, and Tayyab Tahir will be key players for Pakistan.
ZIM: Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza, Wellington Masakadza, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Blessing Muzarabani, and Richard Ngarava will be key players for Zimbabwe.
PAK vs ZIM Weather And Pitch Report
The weather will be partly cloudy with a high of 34°C, low humidity at 17%, and a gentle breeze. The conditions will be ideal for cricket.
Queen’s Sports Club promises a balanced contest between bat and ball. Early on, pacers can exploit the lively conditions, with good bounce and carry aiding movement with the new ball.
As the day warms up, the pitch will gradually become more batsman-friendly. The afternoon session should offer excellent conditions for stroke play, with batters finding it easier to time their shots.
If the wicket continues to dry out, spinners might extract some assistance during the middle overs.
The batsmen might struggle with the old ball, and the change in ball by bowlers will hold them back.