Zimbabwe vs Pakistan 1st ODI, 2024: Preview and Predictions

New look Pakistan kick off white-ball tour in Zimbabwe

After a disappointing white-ball series in Australia, where they won the T20I series and were on the cusp of taking the ODI series but faltered at the end, Pakistan are in Zimbabwe for their first bilateral series in almost five years. 

The ODI series kicks off the white-ball series and here’s our match preview and predictions for the first ODI between Zimbabwe and Pakistan.

Zimbabwe vs Pakistan 1st ODI | Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024 | 13:00 IST, November 24

The visitors will be led by Mohammad Rizwan, who has a relatively young and inexperienced squad with the likes of Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi all rested. Rizwan will be one of the senior batters along with Abdullah Shafique and the young and explosive Saim Ayub, who has stepped up in the shortest format will have a lot of responsibility in the ODIs as well. Salman Agha will also be crucial for the Asian team with the bat while we might see an ODI debut for Aamer Jamal. Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain will lead the bowling attack with Abrar Ahmed and a couple of youngsters like Faisal Akram, Ahmed Daniyal might get a look-in.

The hosts on the other side have the experienced Craig Ervine leading them with Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza being the other senior pros in the squad. Barring these three, the hosts have Joylord Gumbie, who has become a mainstay in their ODI setup. Zimbabwe have a host of all-rounders with Raza being key for the hosts, both with the bat and ball and it will be the experienced Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani leading the bowling attack. 

The Bulawayo ground is a high-scoring ground with some good assistance for the spinners which means we should be in for a high-scoring game, especially if Pakistan bat first and expect the visitors to start the series with a win.

Fantasy XI: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Joylord Gumbie Mohammad Rizwan, Sikandar Raza, Aamer Jamal, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Richard Ngarava,

Venue: Bulawayo

Winners Prediction: Pakistan