Zimbabwe v http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 - Only Test - Match Preview
The Only Test between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 and Pakistan takes place at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo on September 1, 2011.
It has been a triumphant return for team Zimbabwe after an absence of almost six years. Their struggle was well publicized after lack of funds and key personnel led to them being exiting temporarily from Test Cricket.
However, the win in the One-Off Test against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 asserted their claims of a comeback. This was followed by another series win in the limited over internationals, which shows that the Zimbabwe are serious about the game and are there in for the longer
term.
Also the confidence will be sky high and under the captaincy of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BRM-Taylor-c1200, they look like a unit itching to perform well.
The task now will be made difficult with the arrival of Pakistan. The Asian Power house, although have internal problems of their own but will offer a stern test than their Asian counterparts.
It will be another One-off Test but one that carries immense importance for either team.
For the hosts, it will show how much they have progressed after a busy home season, where they have battled against the likes of formidable, Australian A and South African A sides.
One could say that they have a balance squad, and youngster which could carry on representing the team for quite a substantial period of time.
They have a strong batting order comprising the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/E-Chigumbura-c1411.
To add to that, in left-armer, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CB-Mpofu-c1219, as well as depth in slow bowling department with the likes of Raymond
Price and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/P-Utseya-c2145. However, it will be interesting to see, what combination is used by the Zimbabwe management.
For the visitors, the unpredictability surrounding Pakistan Cricket will always remain and one could say, will always hamper their growth to strive for supremacy.
The preparations have not been ideal, as head coach, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Waqar-Younis-Maitla-c96193, resigned from the post, shortly before the team boarded the plane to Zimbabwe.
With new management, it will be again left to the players to come up with the goods. The positive aspect will be the return of former Captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shoaib-Malik-c90088, who will make his return after an absence of over a year.
The selectors have opted to give birth to youngsters, ahead of experience campaigners, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wahab-Riaz-c95839.
It is likely that Pakistani Pace attack will include http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sohail-Tanvir-c90665. Both left-armers have been in impressive form for their respective clubs and it will be exciting to see them bowl in tandem.
The batting line also looks strong and hungry which includes the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Younis-Khan-c98325 and Misbah, himself.
The return of Malik will give them an added option, with him also being a good fielder and a occasional slow bowler.
The conditions will be humid and the pitch will offer some pace up front but as the days progress, the wicket will get slow, with spinners coming into action.
Zimbabwe must deliver at this moment, which will certainly do their cause of revival, a world of good.
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