Preview

The third and final T20I between Zimbabwe and Pakistan will take place at the Harare Sports Club on April 25. 

Zimbabwe eked out a memorable victory in the 2nd T20I, rolling over Pakistan for an embarrassing 99 runs. The hosts backed up their excellent bowling performance from the series-opener with an even better display. The difference, this time, was the discipline in the field as Zimbabwe knocked over their visitors and defended a meagre target of 119 runs. This was Zimbabwe’s first ever T20I win over Pakistan in 16 attempts and buoyed by their efforts, they will be keen to convert it into a historic series victory on Sunday evening. 

Pakistan would have been left flabbergasted with the way things unravelled in the 2nd T20I. Their misfiring middle-order once again proved to be an Achilles’ heel for the tourists as they lost seven of their men for just 21 runs. Following a momentous series triumph in South Africa just about a week ago, the onus is on the Men in Green to turn it around in Harare and showcase more consistency. Pakistan cannot afford to experiment with the combination considering the series is on the line. Despite losing the second T20I, Pakistan are still deemed favourites to lift the silverware but they would have to bring their A game into the middle on Sunday.  

Match Details

Match: Zimbabwe v Pakistan, 3rd T20I.

Date & Time: April 25, 2021, 2.00 PM PST.

Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare

Predicted Playing XIs

Zimbabwe: Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Sean Williams, Brendan Taylor, Ryan Burl, Craig Ervine, Regis Chakabva, Wessly Madhevere, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Donald Tiripano, Luke Jongwe

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Hafeez, Haider Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf and Usman Qadir

Fantasy XI and Captaincy Pick

Captain: Babar Azam had a stellar T20I series against South Africa, notching up 210 runs at a sublime average of 52.50 including a grand hundred – his first in the format. He is also on the brink of becoming the fastest-ever to 2000 T20I runs and, given the form he is presently in, he may waltz to that landmark and surpass it tomorrow since he requires just 17 runs. Babar Azam fell cheaply in the first T20I and could not see his team home despite consuming a decent number of deliveries. He will be raring to contribute heftily in the series finale and clinch the trophy.

Fantasy Playing XI: Mohammad Rizwann, Wesley Madhevere, Danish Aziz, Babar Azam (c), Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Fakhar Zaman, Luke Jongwe (vc), Ryan Burl, Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Qadir, Haris Rauf

Pitch Report and Weather Conditions

The surface at Harare is usually a batting-friendly deck with the average 1st inning total being 159 runs. The conditions are generally more suitable to seam bowlers who can extract decent nip off the pitch as was evident in the series opener. The short-pitched deliveries seemed to skid quicker off the surface and many batsmen succumbed to these heavy balls. Most batsmen in the series have found it difficult to score briskly because of the generally sluggish nature of the surfaces. The weather for Sunday is expected to remain mostly sunny with periodic clouds and temperatures fluctuating between low to mid twenties.