Published on: Apr 28, 2021 10:13 pm IST|Updated on: Apr 28, 2021 10:16 pm IST
ZIM vs PAK Dream11: After a highly competitive and intriguing T20I series, Zimbabwe and Pakistan will be locking horns yet again in the premier format i.e. Test cricket. The two-Test match series is slated to get underway from 29th April i.e. Thursday in Harare.
Zimbabwe displayed a lot of courage in the T20I series and came very close to creating history. However, Pakistan held their nerves and claimed the third and final T20I to take the three-match series 2-1. The change in format will go in favor of the visitors who last whitewashed South Africa in a 2-match Test series played at home. Therefore, they will be starting as the firm favorites against the minnows.
However, writing off the hosts completely won’t be a good idea. Their last Test assignment took place in the UAE against Afghanistan where they managed to draw level in the two-match series by 1-1. With a spirited performance in the recently concluded T20I series, Zimbabwe would fancy their chances in the Test matches as well, especially with the return of veteran Brendan Taylor.
ZIM vs PAK Today match prediction details Fixture Name: 1st Test, Zimbabwe vs Pakistan Competition: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan Test Date: 29th April 2021 Time: 01:00 PM IST Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
Harare has always been a bowler-friendly surface as the pace bowlers get fabulous assistance here. Therefore, we could expect the pacers to do their tricks with the new ball whereas the batsmen will have to bat sensibly.
(last five completed games) Zimbabwe: LDLWL Pakistan: DLLWW
Pakistan Won: 04 Zimbabwe Won: 01
Where to watch ZIM vs PAK live: You can WATCH South Africa vs Pakistan on Sony Sports Network and stream live on the Sony Liv app.
Injury update, unavailability: No injury concerns in Pakistan camp for this ZIM vs PAK Dream11 team prediction Test match.
Expected changes and team combination: Most likely, Abid Ali and Imran Butt are expected to open the innings. Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Fawad Alam will form the rest of the batting order.
Among the bowlers, Nauman Ali will be the premier spinner in the absence of Yasir Shah with Shaheen Shah and Hasan Ali leading the way in the pace unit.
PAK Playing 11 (Likely): Abid Ali Imran Butt Azhar Ali Babar Azam Fawad Alam Mohammad Rizwan Faheem Ashraf Hasan Ali Nauman Ali Sajid Khan Shaheen Shah Afridi
Also read: ZIM vs PAK Stats Preview 1st Test Zimbabwe vs Pakistan
Injury update, unavailability: The hosts have named 5 uncapped players for the series and Brenda Taylor also returns after missing out on the Test series against Afghanistan. Craig Ervine will be missing out the entire series due to injury, whereas skipper Sean Williams will be missing the first game after he failed to recover from a soft tissue injury to his left hand.
Expected changes and team combination: Luke Jongwe, after impressing in the T20I series is likely to make his Test debut.
Kevin Kasuza and Prince Masvaure will be the opening batsmen, whereas, the middle-order will comprise Tarisai Musakanda and veteran Brendan Taylor, who will be leading the side in the absence of Williams. Also, Roy Kaia will be the apt replacement for Williams.
Donald Tiripano, Tendai Chisoro, Blessing Muzrabani along with Luke Jongwe will be the key figures in the bowling lineup.
ZIM Playing 11 (probable): Prince Masvaure Kevin Kasuza Tarisai Musakanda Brendan Taylor Regis Chakabva Roy Kaia Victor Nyauchi/Milton Shumba Donald Tiripano Tendai Chisoro Luke Jongwe Blessing Muzrabani
For Zimbabwe, this would be the first time in 4 years when they will be playing a Test against a team other than Bangladesh or Afghanistan. However, taming Pakistan won’t be an easy task irrespective of the fact that the hosts have trumped Pakistan in Test cricket in 2013. Therefore, we are backing Pakistan to register a win in this ZIM vs PAK Today Match Prediction fixture go 1-0 up in the series.
Babar Azam: 620 runs from the last 7 Test matches at an average of 62.00.
Brendan Taylor: 562 runs in the last 8 Tests at an average of 37.47.
Azhar Ali: 650 runs from the last 9 Tests averaging 46.43.
Fawad Alam: 299 runs from the last 4 Test matches including two hundred plus scores.
Donald Tiripano: 20 wickets from 20 Test matches in his career at an economy of 2.75.
Shaheen Shah Afridi: 29 wickets from the last 9 Tests at an economy of 3.10.
WK: M Rizwan, B Taylor BAT: B Azam, T Musakanda, A Ali, P Masvaure ALL: F Alam, L Jongwe BWL: D Tiripano, Hassan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi