Preview: Pressure on as Pakistan look for response against Zimbabwe
The nature of the loss to India was tough for Pakistan to take, and leaves them alongside Netherlands on zero points after the opening round of matches.
Prior to the tournament it would have been South Africa who Pakistan eyed as their other biggest qualification rivals, along with their neighbours. But Bangladesh’s winning start and the emergence of Zimbabwe as a well-rounded threat means there is plenty for Babar Azam’s side to be wary of in Group 2.
An epic montage of the MCG thriller between India and Pakistan | T20WC 2022
Bouncing back from disappointment will be key for Pakistan, and Iftikhar Ahmed told reporters that the leadership figures in the squad have been keen to stress that it’s not the time to dwell.
“The way the captain, the coach supported the whole squad, they were exceptional,” he said. “And the message is clear that was the first game, now time to move forward.”
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Zimbabwe made it through to the Super 12 stage partly thanks to a strong and pacy bowling attack, a group of players who should thrive on the bouncy service in Perth.
Richard Ngarava is a doubt after his injury in the rain-interrupted fixture against South Africa, but captain Craig Ervine is hopeful that his big fast bowler can make an appearance.
“I think he's doing all right,” Ervine said. “Even after today's training session, the game only starts at seven tomorrow. It's quite a bit of time for him to recover and hopefully it's not too serious.”
A loss for either side in this fixture would leave them needing a remarkable turnaround to secure a final-four spot.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi
Zimbabwe: Craig Ervine (c), Regis Chakabva (wk), Wesley Madhevere, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Richard Ngarava, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani
Sikandar Raza
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The Zimbabwe skipper was the Player of the Match in the last Round 1 match where he hit 40 runs off just 23 balls against Scotland to help Zimbabwe qualify for the Super 12s. He is the center-stone of the Zimbabwe batting line-up and also plays a key role with the ball. If there is any chance of any upset then Raza is almost certainly going to have to fire.
Shaheen Afridi
Early wickets are vital in pegging back the lower-ranked teams at this tournament, and if there is one bowler you’d back to make Powerplay inroads then it is Pakistan’s Shaheen. His record early in an innings is phenomenal and Zimbabwe will be well aware of the task that awaits them.
Captaincy Pick: Sikandar Raza
Sikandar Raza has breathed fire in 2022 so far. In 20 T20Is this year, the 36-year-old has smacked 652 runs and picked up 20 wickets at averages of 38.35 and 17.90 respectively.
Must-have: Babar Azam
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The Pakistan captain and opening batter is the glue that holds it all together for his side at the top of the order. A player of his class could put Zimbabwe to the sword, and if he makes a significant contribution then Pakistan will be a long way towards securing the win.
Differential Pick: Mohammad Nawaz
It will not be easy for the Pakistan spinner to bounce back from that last-over heartbreak against India. But Nawaz is a fine bowler and will be looking for an immediate retort and a chance to make his mark in a positive way in the tournament.