Motivated Pakistan target clean sweep over Zimbabwe

With the series in the bag already, Pakistan will hope to make it three-in-three against Zimbabwe when the two teams clash in the final One Day International (ODI) in Rawalpindi today (3).

A win will also help Pakistan secure the top position on the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League Points Table.

Zimbabwe have had some promising performances in the first two matches but have failed to string together a perfect team effort. Pakistan, on the other hand, have had contributions coming in from all quarters.
The area the visitors would most like to fix would be the top order, which hasn’t fired in either of the two matches. The onus will be on Captain and opener Chamu Chibhabha to help deliver Zimbabwe with a strong start in the final match.

That, however, will be no easy task against Pakistan’s formidable attack. Where fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Wahab Riaz did most of the damage in the first ODI and spinner Iftikhar Ahmed led the charge in the second match on Sunday.

With the quicks having provided a great start, Iftikhar chipped away into the middle order with only Sean Williams (75 off 70) going past fifty. The off-spinner struck key blows, including the wickets of Brendan Taylor and Williams on his way to a career-best haul of five for 40.

After having missed out in the first match, newly appointed Captain Babar Azam excelled in the second game striking a fluent 74-ball 77 not out to steer Pakistan to a six-wicket win in a modest chase of 207.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Captain Chamu Chibhabha said: “We did everything right except getting over the line. We need to find a way to get over the line. It’s more of a psychological thing. It’s not about coming out and hitting more balls in the nets, it’s just a psychological thing, the belief that we can do it.”

Pakistan Captain Babar Azam said: “We will reflect on where we went wrong in the last two games and comeback strong in the final game. The plan is to give chances to youngsters and utilise them as much as we can. In the next game there could be a few changes in the team.”

Zimbabwe Squad: Chamu Chibhabha (Captain), Faraz Akram, Ryan Burl, Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Craig Ervine, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Wessly Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Carl Mumba, Richmond Mutumbami, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Brendan Taylor, Donald Tiripano and Sean Williams.

Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (Captain), Imam ul Haq, Abid Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Usman Qadir, Wahab Riaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Musa Khan. 

- (ICC)