Pakistan Selectors have played it safe for Zimbabwe Tour: Aamir Sohail

With Pakistan expected to tour Zimbabwe in the coming months, former opener Aamir Sohail has come out rather optimistically about Pakistan’s chances in the upcoming series. He added that the manner in which the side has performed in recent times, it was quite amazing the manner in which they played in England and Ireland in recent times. He added that the selectors have opted for experience as well as balance, a mixture the Pakistanis have lacked in recent times.

“I believe that the selectors have played safe and stuck to a tried and tested formula when selecting the teams for the upcoming series. Apart from return of Mohammad Hafeez for the T20I side which in my eyes is probably due to the experience factor as well as him being a robust bowling option after he was allowed to bowl again by the ICC, I did not find anything too alarming in the selection of the squads. Pakistan to me look well set for a successful outing in Zimbabwe.”

‘Pakistan favourites on paper’

The tri-series in Zimbabwe sees the Aussies and Pakistanis involved along with the hosts. However, it would seem as though Pakistan re indeed the favourites. Aamir Sohail thinks so, at least.

“Whilst it is true that Australia are going through a tough time in ODIs due to a rebuilding phase brought on by injuries and the absence of some key players, no one should under-estimate their overall strength in any format of the game. Pakistan will face them in a Tri-Series along with hosts Zimbabwe and based on paper form, we should emerge as winners. But unfortunately, we have a history of doing the unexpected.

He added, “With some spectacular wins, we have seen many losses from winning positions and like it or not, Pakistan have an annoying habit of helping out-of-form teams regain form in the most at their expense in an inexplicable manner. This will be the challenge for Sarfaraz Ahmed and his side and one hopes that they will have learnt from the lessons of the past to emerge victorious in the T20I Tri-Series and also in the ODI series against Zimbabwe.”

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