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Zimbabwean cricket team in Pakistan in 2020–21

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Zimbabwean cricket team in Pakistan in 2020–21
 
  Pakistan Zimbabwe
Dates 30 October – 10 November 2020
Captains Babar Azam Chamu Chibhabha
One Day International series
Results Pakistan won the 3-match series 2–1
Most runs Babar Azam (221) Brendan Taylor (204)
Most wickets Four bowlers took five wickets each[n 1] Blessing Muzarabani (7)
Player of the series Babar Azam (Pak)
Twenty20 International series
Results Pakistan won the 3-match series 3–0
Most runs Babar Azam (133) Wesley Madhevere (103)
Most wickets Usman Qadir (8) Blessing Muzarabani (4)
Player of the series Usman Qadir (Pak)

The Zimbabwe cricket team toured Pakistan in October and November 2020 to play three One Day International (ODI) and three Twenty20 International (T20I) matches.[1][2] All of the matches were played behind closed doors at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.[3] The ODI series formed part of the inaugural 2020–2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League.[4][5] Pakistan's Babar Azam captained the team for the first time in ODI cricket.[6]

In the second ODI, Aleem Dar of Pakistan stood in his 210th ODI match as an on-field umpire, surpassing South African Rudi Koertzen's record of officiating in the most ODI matches.[7] In the second T20I, Ahsan Raza of Pakistan stood in his 50th T20I match as an on-field umpire, becoming the first umpire to reach the milestone in T20I cricket.[8]

Pakistan won the first two ODI matches to take an unassailable lead in the series.[9] The third match was tied, with Zimbabwe winning the Super Over.[10] It was Zimbabwe's first win in an ODI in Pakistan since November 1998.[11] Pakistan also won the first two T20I matches to win the series.[12] They also won the third T20I by eight wickets to take the series 3–0.[13] Zimbabwe's Elton Chigumbura retired from international cricket following the conclusion of the tour.[14]

Background

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In August 2020, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that the tour was still going ahead as planned, and were preparing a bio-secure environment, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[15][16] Initially, the PCB were considering to host both the T20I and ODI series at a single venue in Lahore.[17] However, in September 2020, it was announced that the T20I and ODI series would be held in Rawalpindi and Multan respectively.[18] On 9 October 2020, the PCB moved the matches from Multan to Lahore, following a disagreement with the government in the city over finances.[19] Multan last hosted international matches in April 2008, when Bangladesh played at the venue.[20]

On 11 October 2020, the PCB confirmed the itinerary for the series, with the ODI matches taking place in Rawalpindi, and the T20I matches taking place in Lahore.[21][22] Smog had been forecast in Lahore during November,[23] with the PCB monitoring the situation.[24] On 23 October 2020, the PCB made a further change to the tour, moving all the T20I matches from Lahore to Rawalpindi, because of the concerns about the smog.[25]

In September 2020, Zimbabwe Cricket stated that the official confirmation of travelling to Pakistan was imminent.[26] Tavengwa Mukuhlani, chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket, said he was "hopeful" that the tour would go ahead.[27] On 20 September 2020, Zimbabwe named a preliminary squad of 25 players to begin training ahead of the tour.[28] On 23 September 2020, Zimbabwe Cricket received government permission to travel to Pakistan.[29] On 19 October 2020, the Zimbabwe team departed from the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport,[30] arriving in Pakistan early the next day.[31] The Zimbabwean head coach Lalchand Rajput did not travel with the team, so their bowling coach Douglas Hondo was put in charge of the team.[32] The PCB also confirmed the match officials for the tour on the same day.[33]

Squads

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ODIs T20Is
 Pakistan[34]  Zimbabwe[35]  Pakistan[36]  Zimbabwe[37]

On 19 October 2020, Misbah-ul-Haq, head coach and chief selector of the Pakistan team, named a twenty-two man squad of "probables" for the series.[38] The squad travelled to Lahore to begin COVID-19 testing and training ahead of the ODI matches,[39] with the squads for each format being named later.[40] Pakistan's vice-captain, Shadab Khan, was ruled out of the ODI series, after suffering an injury during a warm-up game.[41] Haider Ali was added to Pakistan's squad for the second ODI.[42] He replaced Haris Sohail, who suffered an injury during the first ODI match.[43] For the third and final ODI, Abdullah Shafique, Zafar Gohar and Mohammad Hasnain were added to the squad, replacing Imad Wasim, Abid Ali and Haris Rauf.[44] However, on the morning of the third ODI, Haris Rauf was re-added to the team, after Faheem Ashraf was suffering from food poisoning.[45]

Ahead of the T20I series, Abid Ali, Haris Sohail and Imam-ul-Haq were released from Pakistan's squad.[46] Shadab Khan was also unavailable for selection for Pakistan's squad for the T20Is, due to his earlier injury which ruled him out of the ODI matches.[47][48]

ODI series

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1st ODI

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30 October 2020
12:00 (D/N)
Scorecard
Pakistan 
281/8 (50 overs)
v
 Zimbabwe
255 (49.4 overs)
Haris Sohail 71 (82)
Tendai Chisoro 2/31 (5 overs)
Brendan Taylor 112 (117)
Shaheen Afridi 5/49 (10 overs)
Pakistan won by 26 runs
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Umpires: Aleem Dar (Pak) and Ahsan Raza (Pak)
Player of the match: Brendan Taylor (Zim)
  • Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat.
  • Haris Rauf (Pak) made his ODI debut.
  • Babar Azam captained Pakistan for the first time in ODIs.[49]
  • Brendan Taylor scored his 17th century in international cricket to become the batsman with the most centuries for Zimbabwe across all three formats.[50]
  • World Cup Super League points: Pakistan 10, Zimbabwe 0.

2nd ODI

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1 November 2020
12:00 (D/N)
Scorecard
Zimbabwe 
206 (45.1 overs)
v
 Pakistan
208/4 (35.2 overs)
Sean Williams 75 (70)
Iftikhar Ahmed 5/40 (10 overs)
Babar Azam 77* (74)
Tendai Chisoro 2/49 (10 overs)
Pakistan won by 6 wickets
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Umpires: Aleem Dar (Pak) and Asif Yaqoob (Pak)
Player of the match: Iftikhar Ahmed (Pak)

3rd ODI

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3 November 2020
12:00 (D/N)
Scorecard
Zimbabwe 
278/6 (50 overs)
v
 Pakistan
278/9 (50 overs)
Sean Williams 118* (135)
Mohammad Hasnain 5/26 (10 overs)
Babar Azam 125 (125)
Blessing Muzarabani 5/49 (10 overs)
Match tied
(Zimbabwe won the Super Over)

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Umpires: Aleem Dar (Pak) and Rashid Riaz (Pak)
Player of the match: Blessing Muzarabani (Zim)

T20I series

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1st T20I

[edit]
7 November 2020
15:30 (D/N)
Scorecard
Zimbabwe 
156/6 (20 overs)
v
 Pakistan
157/4 (18.5 overs)
Wesley Madhevere 70* (48)
Haris Rauf 2/25 (4 overs)
Babar Azam 82 (55)
Blessing Muzarabani 2/26 (3.5 overs)
Pakistan won by 6 wickets
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Umpires: Aleem Dar (Pak) and Asif Yaqoob (Pak)
Player of the match: Babar Azam (Pak)

2nd T20I

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8 November 2020
15:30 (D/N)
Scorecard
Zimbabwe 
134/7 (20 overs)
v
 Pakistan
137/2 (15.1 overs)
Ryan Burl 32* (22)
Usman Qadir 3/23 (4 overs)
Haider Ali 66* (43)
Blessing Muzarabani 2/33 (4 overs)
Pakistan won by 8 wickets
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Umpires: Ahsan Raza (Pak) and Rashid Riaz (Pak)
Player of the match: Haider Ali (Pak)
  • Pakistan won the toss and elected to field.

3rd T20I

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10 November 2020
15:30 (D/N)
Scorecard
Zimbabwe 
129/9 (20 overs)
v
 Pakistan
130/2 (15.2 overs)
Chamu Chibhabha 31 (28)
Usman Qadir 4/13 (4 overs)
Pakistan won by 8 wickets
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Umpires: Aleem Dar (Pak) and Ahsan Raza (Pak)
Player of the match: Usman Qadir (Pak)

Notes

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  1. ^ Mohammad Hasnain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Wahab Riaz and Shaheen Afridi all took five wickets each.

References

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  1. ^ "Pakistan confirms Zimbabwe tour". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Uncapped Faraz Akram in Zimbabwe's training squad for Pak tour". Cricbuzz. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  3. ^ "PSL, Zimbabwe games moved from Lahore due to smog". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  4. ^ "Schedule for inaugural World Test Championship announced". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  5. ^ "Men's Future Tours Programme" (PDF). International Cricket Council. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  6. ^ "Babar Azam: 'I count myself very lucky' to lead Pakistan at home". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  7. ^ "Aleem Dar set to break record for most ODIs as on-field umpire". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Officials for Zimbabwe series named". The News. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  9. ^ "Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets to win ODI series 2-0". Geo News. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  10. ^ "PAK vs ZIM, 3rd ODI: Sean Williams and Blessing Muzarabani star as Zimbabwe beat Pakistan in Super Over". India Today. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  11. ^ "Zimbabwe edge Pakistan in Super Over thriller". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  12. ^ "Usman Qadir leads fine Pakistan bowling performance to seal series". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  13. ^ "Abdullah Shafique misses out on debut 50 as Pakistan whitewash Zimbabwe 3-0". Geo Super. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  14. ^ "ICC congratulates Chigumbura for a fine career". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  15. ^ "Zimbabwe All Set to Tour Pakistan in October-November, Schedule Yet to be Decided". Network18 Media and Investments Ltd. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  16. ^ "Cricket returns to Pakistan as Covid-19 situation improves". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  17. ^ "Zimbabwe set to tour Pakistan, all matches likely to be held in Lahore". Batting with bimal. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  18. ^ "Pakistan vs Zimbabwe series to be split between Multan, Rawalpindi". Geo Super. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  19. ^ "Lahore to replace Multan as partial host for Zimbabwe tour". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  20. ^ "Multan, Rawalpindi to host Pakistan's white-ball series against Zimbabwe". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  21. ^ "PCB announces revised itinerary for Zimbabwe series". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  22. ^ "PCB changes venues for white-ball series against Zimbabwe". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  23. ^ "Rawalpindi to host Zimbabwe ODIs, Lahore gets T20Is". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  24. ^ "Match timings for Zimbabwe fixtures announced". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  25. ^ "Lahore matches moved to Rawalpindi and Karachi due to smog". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  26. ^ "Official confirmation of Pakistan tour 'imminent' - ZC chairman Mukuhlani". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  27. ^ "Hopeful for Zimbabwe to tour Pakistan, says Zimbabwe Cricket chief". Geo TV. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  28. ^ "Chevron's Provisional Squad For The Pakistani Tour". Pindula News. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  29. ^ "Zimbabwe gets government approval for Pakistan tour". sportstar.thehindu.com. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  30. ^ "Zimbabwe squad jets out for their first tour since lockdown". Cricket365. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  31. ^ "Zimbabwe arrive in Pakistan but head coach Lalchand Rajput doesn't travel". The Cricketer. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  32. ^ "Zimbabwe land in Pakistan, but without head coach Lalchand Rajput". ESPNcricinfo. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  33. ^ "Match officials for Zimbabwe series confirmed". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  34. ^ "Pakistan confirms squad for first ODI against Zimbabwe". ARY Sports. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  35. ^ "Muzarabani returns as Zimbabwe announce squad for Pakistan tour". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  36. ^ "Pakistan announce updated squad for T20I series against Zimbabwe; Imam-ul-Haq and two others miss out". Cricket Times. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  37. ^ "Chamu Chibhabha to captain Zimbabwe for Pakistan tour, Blessing Muzarabani also included in the squad". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  38. ^ "Pak v Zim: First call-up for Abdullah Shafique but Sarfaraz left out as Misbah names 22-man squad". Geo Super. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  39. ^ "Abdullah Shafiq in Pakistan probables for Zimbabwe series". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  40. ^ "Amir dropped, Uncapped Shafique in Pakistan squad for Zimbabwe series". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  41. ^ "Update on Shadab Khan". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  42. ^ "Pakistan Announce 15-Man Squad For The Second ODI Against Zimbabwe". Cricket Addictor. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  43. ^ "Pakistan include Haider Ali in squad for second Zimbabwe ODI". Samaa. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  44. ^ "Pakistan make three changes in squad for third Zimbabwe ODI". Samaa. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  45. ^ "'Unwell' Faheem Ashraf replaced by Haris Rauf in 3rd ODI squad". Geo Super. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  46. ^ "Abid Ali, Imam-ul-Haq and Haris Sohail released from squad". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  47. ^ "Shadab Khan Injury Update". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  48. ^ "Shadab Khan to play in 3rd T20I against Zimbabwe: report". Geo Super. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  49. ^ "Babar Azam: Can't afford to take anything for granted against Zimbabwe". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  50. ^ "Shaheen, Wahab fight back to sink Zimbabwe". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  51. ^ "Five-wicket Iftikhar helps Pakistan bowl Zimbabwe for 206". France24. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  52. ^ "Watch Mohammad Hasnain's first five-wicket haul of ODI career". Geo Super. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  53. ^ "Twitter Reactions: Zimbabwe stun Pakistan in a thrilling Super Over courtesy Blessing Muzarabani". CricTracker. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  54. ^ "Foregone conclusion? Anything but, as Pakistan and Zimbabwe switch focus to T20Is". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
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