Zimbabwe call international players for Pakistan Shaheens,
Lahore_The one-day series between Pakistan Shaheens and Zimbabwe Select is set to kick off on 17 May at the Harare Sports Club in Harare. After a dominant performance in the two four-day matches, where Pakistan Shaheens emerged victorious with a convincing 2-0 win over Zimbabwe A, they are now geared up for the limited-overs action.
The six 50-over matches will be played at the Harare Sports Club from 17 May to 27 May.
The 16-member Shaheens squad includes eight players who have already represented Pakistan in international cricket. Besides the eight international players, Shaheens will be hoping left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz to replicate his red-ball form in the white-ball series. He took 15 wickets across the two four-day matches, including 11 wickets in the first game at the Kwekwe Sports Club in Kwekwe.
In the batting department, Shaheens will be banking on Haseebullah, Mohammad Huraira and Omair Bin Yousuf – all of whom struck centuries in the two four-dayers – to take their form with the bat in the limited-overs series. Additionally, with the inclusion of Saim Ayub, who recently represented Pakistan in eight T20Is, the Shaheens have added more depth to their batting lineup. Saim’s presence is expected to bolster their batting order and provide stability in critical junctures of the game.
On the eve of the series, Saim Ayub said: “Representing the Pakistan men’s team in T20Is has been an incredible experience, and I’m thrilled to bring that valuable experience to the Shaheens for this 50-over series against Zimbabwe Select.
“I’m looking forward to the series with great anticipation. We have performed well in the four-day matches, but this is a new series and we respect Zimbabwe as opponents. The preparations at the Harare Sports Club have been intense and focused. We have been working hard on all aspects of our game, from batting to bowling and fielding. The coaching staff has left no stone unturned to make sure we are well-prepared for the series.”
Meanwhile,
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) on Tuesday, unveiled a strong 14-member squad for the six-match one-day series against Pakistan Shaheens, scheduled to commence on May 17.
With the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 on home soil only a month away, the ZC has named a strong squad to race up their preparations to seize a spot in the mega event.
Almost all players who were part of the Zimbabwe squad that faced the Netherlands in March, have been retained for the 50-over series against Pakistan Shaheens that gets underway this Wednesday.
The Zimbabwe Select squad includes the experienced trio of Craig Ervine, Sean Williams and Tendai Chatara.
Pacemen Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava have also been picked alongside spin bowlers Wellington Masakadza and Brandon Mavuta as well as all-rounders Ryan Burl and Wessly Madhevere.
Besides the 14 international players, named to face the Pakistan Shaheens, the hosts will also be lending an opportunity to seven young players to gain some valuable experience.
ZC arranged the one-dayers to help Zimbabwe fine-tune for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 that will be staged across four venues in Harare and Bulawayo from 18 June to 9 July.
Tour schedule:
3-6 May – 1st Four-day match; KSC, Kwekwe (Pakistan Shaheens won by eight wickets)
10- 13 May – 2nd Four-day match; MSC, Mutare (Pakistan Shaheens won by an innings and 41 runs)
17 May – 1st 50-over match; HSC, Harare
19 May – 2nd 50-over match; HSC, Harare
21 May – 3rd 50-over match; HSC, Harare
23 May – 4th 50-over match; HSC, Harare
25 May – 5th 50-over match; HSC, Harare
27 May – 6th 50-over match; HSC, Harare
