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The stage is set for an exciting opening encounter of the three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, on Sunday. Following a historic ODI series victory against Australia, Pakistan, under the captaincy of Mohammad Rizwan, will look to maintain their winning momentum despite missing key players, including Babar Azam.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will aim to exploit their home conditions. With a spirited side led by Craig Ervine, the hosts will rely on senior players like Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams to challenge Pakistan’s relatively young squad.
Table of content
Queens Sports Club Bulawayo Stats And Records in ODIs
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 92 |
| Matches Won Batting First | 38 |
| Matches Won Bowling First | 49 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 234 |
| Average 2nd Innings Score | 199 |
Pitch Report: Batting or Bowling Friendly?
The pitch at Queens Sports Club typically offers something for everyone, making it a balanced venue.
- Morning Session: Fast bowlers will enjoy the early assistance, with the new ball providing swing and seam movement under overcast conditions or morning moisture.
- Afternoon Session: As the sun dries out the surface, the track becomes better for batting, offering consistent pace and bounce. The batters can settle in and play their shots freely during this phase.
- Middle Overs: Spinners may come into play with minor turn on offer. However, the conditions generally remain batting-friendly, especially under bright sunshine.
- Final Overs: Pacers using cutters and hard lengths with the old ball can reap rewards in the death overs.
Given these conditions, the toss-winning captain is likely to bowl first, leveraging the seam-friendly conditions early on and chasing on a pitch that becomes progressively easier to bat on.
Players To Watch Out For
Pakistan
- Haris Rauf: Fresh off a stellar series against Australia, Rauf’s raw pace and ability to generate bounce make him a formidable weapon for Pakistan.
- Saim Ayub: The left-handed batter has been in sublime form, making him a key player to dismantle Zimbabwe’s bowling attack.
Zimbabwe
- Richard Ngarava: The left-arm pacer can extract swing and trouble batters with his height, especially if Zimbabwe bowls first.
- Sikandar Raza: The backbone of Zimbabwe’s lineup, Raza’s all-round skills make him a threat with both bat and ball, particularly on his home turf.
