ZIM vs PAK, 2021: 2nd T20I, Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match?

Preview

Pakistan started their campaign in the three-match T20Is against Zimbabwe with an 11-run win at the Harare Sports Club. But despite the win on Wednesday, the visitors have a lot to ponder about, especially because of their lacklustre batting.

Barring Mohammad Rizwan, no other Pakistan batter looked settled. Rizwan ended up scoring more than 55 per cent of the total runs scored by his team. The second game of the series is set to take place on Friday, April 23 and Pakistan would be looking to take an unassailable lead.

As far as the hosts are concerned, they had their moments in the opening match, both with the ball and bat. However, they failed to keep the opposition in check. But on the back of the spirited show, Sean Williams and Co have the potential to make a comeback.

Match Details

Match – Zimbabwe vs Pakistan – 2nd match

Venue – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Time – 2:30 PM IST, 09:00 AM GMT

Where to watch live – Fancode

Pitch Report

The pitch in Harare was a tad difficult to bat on in the first game. However, Rizwan showed that it’s possible to score runs with a bit of patience if one is willing to bide one’s time in the middle.

The track has helped the team, batting first and hence, chasing can be avoided. The conditions will be partly sunny with the temperature around 24 degrees Celsius. The humidity will mostly in the low-40s.

Avg score: 154 (24 T20Is in Harare)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 8, Lost – 16, Tied – 0

Probable Playing XIs:

Zimbabwe

Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Craig Ervine, Tadiwanshe Marumani, Sean Williams (C), Wesley Madhevere, Regis Chakabva, Ryan Burl, Wellington Masakadza, Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava

Bench: Tapiwa Mufudza, Tanaka Chivanga, Donald Tiripano, Brendan Taylor

Pakistan

Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Haider Ali, Danish Aziz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Usman Qadir

Bench: Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Zahid Mahmood, Asif Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali

Head-to-Head

Overall

Played – 15 | Zimbabwe – 0 | Pakistan– 15 |N/R – 0

In Zimbabwe

Played – 9 | Zimbabwe – 0 | Pakistan– 9 |N/R – 0

Probable best batsman of the match

Mohammad Rizwan – Pakistan

Mohammad Rizwan is currently going through a purple patch in his T20 career. He has found the Midas Touch as he has been racking up runs at will at the top of the order.

In his last nine appearances in T20Is, he has notched 515 runs at an average of 103. Even in the previous game, the right-hander managed 82 runs off 61 balls with the help of 10 fours and one six.

Probable best bowler of the match

Blessing Muzarabani– Zimbabwe

Blessing Muzarabani has been leading the Zimbabwe bowling attack for the last few months and he hasn’t let his team down by any means. In the previous game, he didn’t allow the Pakistan batters to dictate terms by any means.

He prized out the wicket of Babar Azam in his very first over. Overall, in his four overs, the speedster gave away a mere 22 runs and bowled 10 dots as well.

Today’s match prediction: Pakistan to win the match.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.