Preview of Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe First Twenty20 Match

Pakistan enters into international cricket again after a gap of six years when first of the two T20 matches starts at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on Friday. World Cup campaign of Pakistan has been mediocre and Bangladesh outclassed Pak before this. Pakistan will be looking to put things back on track under captaincy of Shahid Afridi. Pakistan is considered one of the best T20 teams and the hosts are favorite with the original home conditions. Pakistan T 20 squad has the experience of players like Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez. The 2009 World T20 champions under the coaching of Waqar Younis see the return of middle-order batsman Umar Akmal who was not selected in Bangladesh tour. The right-hand batsman has shown good performance in recent T20 domestic tournament and will play a key role in the middle order.

Saeed Ajmal who has not impressed in Bangladesh tour with his changed bowling action has been dropped from Pakistan squad. Pakistan squad has no specialist spinner with Afridi because Malik and Hafeez appear as all-rouders. Another all-round talent in the squad is slow left-arm orthodox bowler Imad Wasim who will find difficult to secure place in playing XI in the presence of experienced players. The 34-year-old Mohammad Sami who last represented Pakistan in 2012 is likely to take responsibility in the fast bowling department along with Wahab Riaz.

Zimbabwe will be first time in action after the 2015 World Cup which did not go well for Zimbabwe although Zim came close to winning against big nations. Zimbabwe will be missing Brendon Taylor who retired after the tournament. Zimbabwe has made significant changes under the captaincy of Elton Chigumbura recalling Charles Coventry, Graeme Cremer, Chris Mpofu, Vusi Sibanda, Brian Vitori and Richmond Mutumbami. Pakistan and Zimbabwe have met five times in T20s with all won by Pakistan. Zimbabwe is looking for their first win against Pakistan in T20s. Cricket fans will like to see Pakistan preserve their winning run and support Zimbabwe to snatch their first win. An online resource www.tickets4pk.com is the place which helps fans to fulfill their needs by offering tickets of this series at cheap rates.