Visiting side Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe in the first Test match of the 2-match series comprehensively by an innings margin to take a 1-0 lead in the series. If the current form is to be considered, Pakistan will be on their way to another convincing victory in the second and final Test match as well to complete the series whitewash! On the other hand, Pakistan won all their three Test matches under the leadership of Babar Azam thus far – two against South Africa and one against Zimbabwe.
What happened in the first Test match?
Zimbabwe, having opted to bat first, bundled out for just 176 in their first innings. They failed to get any of their partnerships and that helped Pakistan take an early advantage in the match. Courtesy of contributions from Fawad Alam (140) and opener Imran Butt (91), Pakistan managed to post 426 runs in their first innings taking a massive 250-run lead in the first innings. In reply, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 134 in their second innings conceding a victory to Pakistan by a margin of an innings and 116 runs.
Hasan Ali was the pick of Pakistan bowlers with a 9-wicket haul in the match which includes a five-for in the second innings. Shaheen Afridi though failed to pick up a single wicket in the second innings, starred in the first innings with a four-wicket haul. Except for Blessing Muzarabani’s 4-fer, there are not many positives for Zimbabwe in this first Test match.
Expected changes to be made for the second Test
With their playing XI in full control, Pakistan might not make any changes to their team for the second Test match. The only setback for Pakistan in the first Test was the golden duck bagged by Babar Azam. There will be pressure on the Pakistan captain to get some runs against his name in this match. On the other hand, Zimbabwe’s regular captain Sean Williams missed out on the first game with an injury and he might return to the side for the second Test match.
Series Status:
Pakistan are currently leading the 2-match series by 1-0 with a comprehensive innings victory in the first Test match. The second Test match will be played beginning from Friday (May 07) at the Harare Sports Club in Harare. In fact, all the games in this Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe 2021 are being played at the same venue. All the more reason for Pakistan to complete a series clean sweep.
Squad:
Zimbabwe: Prince Masvaure, Kevin Kasuza, Tarisai Musakanda, Brendan Taylor (c), Milton Shumba, Roy Kaia, Regis Chakabva (wk), Donald Tiripano, Tendai Chisoro, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Sean Williams, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Victor Nyauchi, Tanaka Chivanga
Pakistan: Imran Butt, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Nauman Ali, Hasan Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zahid Mahmood, Shahnawaz Dhani, Abdullah Shafique, Agha Salman, Saud Shakeel, Tabish Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Sarfaraz Ahmed
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