Pakistan vs Zimbabwe – 3rd One-Day International Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Pakistan vs Zimbabwe taking place? Tuesday, 3rd November, 2020 – 07:00 (UK)
Where is Pakistan vs Zimbabwe taking place? Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
What is the expected weather for Pakistan vs Zimbabwe? 29c sunny
What channel is Pakistan vs Zimbabwe on? The match will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Pakistan vs Zimbabwe? The match will not be streamed live in the UK
Where can I get tickets for Pakistan vs Zimbabwe? This match will be played without spectators
LAST MEETING
Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 6 wickets
THE TEAM NEWS
PAKISTAN
- Pakistan sealed the series on Sunday as they beat Zimbabwe by six wickets with almost 15 overs to spare as they comfortably chased the tourists’ 206 all out down with relative ease thanks to skipper Babar Azam’s unbeaten 77.
- With Shaheen Shah Afridi wicketless for once, it was Iftikhar Ahmed who led the way with five wickets this time and while Mohammad Musa also came into the side an impressed with two wickets at an excellent economy rate.
- It would be no surprise if they make some further rotations especially with the series sealed now so Abdullah Shafique could well be handed a debut and young fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain could also come back into the side.
ZIMBABWE
- Zimbabwe slipped to another defeat on Sunday as they lost the second of a three-match series but they will look to improve once again and aim to push the hosts in this third and final one-day before the T20s begin.
- As has been the case for a long time now, they continue to have issues at the top of the order with Chari, Chibhabha and Ervine failing to get runs with the reliance on the middle order yet again so they could desperately do with their openers finding some form and setting the platform for a more competitive total.
- After seeing off Shaheen Shah Afridi, they struggled against some of Pakistan’s other bowlers in the second game so a lot of pressure remains on the batsmen to help them be more competitive here while it would be no surprise if they made a couple of rotations in their bowling unit to give opportunities elsewhere.
THE PREDICTION
The gulf between the two teams was a little more pronounced in the second one-day international on Sunday as Pakistan had no trouble chasing down Zimbabwe’s mediocre total and the visitors will be keen to bowl first if they get the opportunity. There remain so many areas of weakness for Zimbabwe that it is highly unlikely the gap in quality is going to be reduced especially the more cricket Pakistan play. Their bowling attack is not good enough to pose the hosts’ batting order problems consistently, while their batting at the top in particularly is far too vulnerable. With Babar Azam in fine form, Pakistan should have far too much for them once again and even if they rotate, the players coming in will be fired up to impress. Expect a third Pakistan victory and Babar Azam to lead the way in runs once again.
