Zimbabwe, Pakistan add another T20I to limited-overs series

Meanwhile, the addition of the third T20I has forced the rescheduling of the matches which has been brought forward by a couple of days. The first one-day game now will start on February 9 followed by the next two games on February 12 and 14.

The three T20Is have been scheduled for February 17, 19 and 20. Both Zimbabwe and Pakistan will be competing in a 10-team World Cup Qualifiers in Sri Lanka in July, and this series will serve them a perfect game time for both sides.

The series will also be the first time Zimbabwe returning to international cricket since May 2019 and will be held in a bio-secure bubble with no spectators. Following their drastic show in South Africa, Pakistan have landed in Harare on Thursday (February 4).

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On paper, Pakistan look to be out-an-out favourites considering the fact that their opponents haven’t tasted any international cricket for 21 months. The African side however have been preparing themselves in the national camp for over a week now under head coach Adam Chifo.

On the other hand, Pakistan have been whitewashed in the ODIs 0-3 while they lost the first t20 T20Is before registering a consolation win in the third and final game.“There have been some positives – both individually and collectively – upon which we will be building on in Zimbabwe and future series,” Pakistan coach David Hemp was quoted as saying by a Pakistani news portal.

“The girls fought hard and played good, competitive cricket in chunks but struggled to get over the line, which we can overcome with more competitive cricket that the tour of Zimbabwe brings us. This is a young and energetic side which has some impressive players emerging who possess the desired talent.”

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“Ayesha Naseem has impressed with her batting skills and Fatima Sana has shown promise with the new ball in her hand. Kainat was making her return to the national side after being out for over a year and she was the highest run-getter for us in T20Is. She has made a decent comeback and shown the promise of cementing her place in the side.

“All-rounder Aliya Riaz ended the ODI series as the highest run-getter with 136 runs from three matches and Diana Baig was the leading wicket-taker with nine wickets. Both - along with other players – recorded their best individual performances. Anam Amin was instrumental in containing runs with the new-ball in T20Is.

“Javeria scored her career’s ninth half-century in the last T20I upon her return to the team, albeit not fully recovered from her finger injury, which speaks about the courage and determination these players have to serve the team. It is important that we build on our win in the third T20I in the six games that lie ahead in Zimbabwe,” added the former Bermuda cricketer.

Revised fixtures 

1st One-dayer - February 9

2nd One-dayer - February 12

3rd One-dayer - February 14

1st T20I - February 17

2nd T20I - February 19

3rd T20I - February 20