Zimbabwe v Pakistan – 1st ODI- Match Preview
The first One Day International between Zimbabwe and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 will be played at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, today, September 8, 2011.
After handing http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 a crushing defeat to clinch the limited overs series, the hosts somewhat have faded away in the final two matches, and were badly exposed in the One-Off Test by a young Pakistani team.
Apart from Tino Mawoyo’s marathon knock of 163 in the first innings, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 failed to make the most of it and were bundled out on a sluggish score in their second outing, to hand the visitors a resounding victory by 7 wickets.
Having said that, it was not a big surprise considering their return to Test Cricket after a long exile of almost six years and that the opponents they faced were much better than the Bengali outfit.
The focus shifts to the 50-over format now, where the team is much better equipped to handle the pressure, as well as mount more of a challenge against a formidable Pakistani contingent.
One thing going for the hosts is that the team looks like a gelled unit, itching to perform well at all levels. With a cool headed captain in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BRM-Taylor-c1200, the side knows that they will have to go one step at a time and eventually things will fall in the
right places.
Coming to the visitors, they have experimented on the tour with a young line-up, especially in the bowling department, which seems ideal for a country, still looking to find consistency.
It will be Coach Waqar Younis' last tour before stepping down, so everyone will look to win the series for his sake. Pakistan has done fairly well after the World Cup, winning in the Caribbean and performing well against the Irish.
Looking at the various loop holes for the respective sides, Zimbabwe will have a problem with the opening bowler position as youngster http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Brian-Vitori-c1198 failed to repeat his heroics in the One-off Test. It is likely that the hosts will go for two upfront pacers,
most probably in the shape of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CB-Mpofu-c1219.
There will be a likely return for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/P-Utseya-c2145, who will bowl in tandem with Raymond Price as the two spinners in the team.
Elton Chigumubura is also included in the squad so it will be a straight choice between him and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Malcolm-Waller-c74039, and if Chigumbura proves his fitness, he is most likely to get the nod.
As for Pakistan, they have a problem at the opposite end, with the opening position remaining debatable. Only http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Hafeez-c76898 has somewhat cemented his spot with impressive performances recently but it remains to be seen, who will partner him upfront.
The all-rounder adds solidarity due to his wide repertoire of shots, while also possessing the ability of troubling the batsmen with his effective off-spin bowling.
In the bowling department, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sohail-Tanvir-c90665 will most probably make his much awaited comeback, while captain, Misbah- ul- Haq will be tempted to play two spinners, considering the nature of the Bulawayo pitch.
The conditions are anticipated to be hot with temperatures expecting to reach mid 30’s. It hasn’t been an ideal hunting ground for Zimbabwe, who has lost seven of nine ODI’s played during a time span of two years.
The pitch will assist slow bowling so one would expect the teams to play atleast two spinners.
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