Pakistan are having a brilliant year in white-ball cricket. They have won every T20I series they have played this year, they are number one in the shortest-format of the game and when their top-spot came under threat earlier this month, they decimated Australia, the same side that had drubbed them in a nine-wicket win a few days ago.
Some of the players have improved their class and showed their class in the recent past. Especially Fakhar Zaman is their recent find. It was quelled during the final as an emphatic batting performance, led by their opener Fakhar Zaman, saw them to their highest-ever T20I chase despite being 2 for 2 at the start of the innings.
Such performances lift teams and instill confidence that they can surmount any challenge. So, it would have suited Pakistan more to go into a competitive bi-lateral series or Asia Cup right after the tri-series. But, they are currently in Bulawayo for a five-match ODI series against a Zimbabwean side that is more benign than the one that featured in the tri-series. The hosts, led by Hamilton Masakadza, are without the services of Kyle Jarvis, who injured his thumb during the opening match of the series, and in-form batsman Solomon Mire; on top of that, the hosts have called up three uncapped players.
This series not only provides him a chance to give a fresh start to his ODI career, but also come back into the fold as he missed out the two-Test series against England due to a fracture in the hip. And what will help the leg spinner is the fact that Pakistan have a plan to manage his return to the national colours. "We have put Yasir Shah in the team because we need bowlers who can take wickets in the middle overs," Sarfraz Ahmed said on the eve of the series. "We will definitely give him an opportunity in a couple of matches."
Pakistan are looking to give each and every player a chance in this series and of course play good cricket. When the Pakistan captain was asked what he and the rest of the team management expected to gain from this series, he said: "If you have a look at this series, the Zimbabwean side is very young and so is ours. We are trying to play good cricket here and make combinations for the Asia Cup. We will provide opportunities to all of the 15 players for that ... We have to give chances to everyone and at the same time make sure our position is good in the series."
But wait, Pakistan have another thing to fix in this series as well. They are the only One-Day side in the ICC ODI rankings that has not won an ODI this year.
With the Asia Cup in the UAE and Pakistan hosting Australia and New Zealand there, spin is expected to play a major role in the coming months for them. And, don't forget how crucial these three men can be in England next year as the pitches there continue to get flatter and slower with every series.
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