Azhar Ali
PAKISTAN looked a bit out of sorts three months ago, following a 3-0 One-Day International (ODI) series loss in Bangladesh. A berth in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 was still some distance away. The team was grappling with injury concerns to a number of pacers, while the absence of a senior batsman like Younis Khan meant the onus was on the younger lot to deliver.
But all questions were emphatically answered when the team won 3-2 in the ODI series in Sri Lanka. In addition, Pakistan won the Tests and Twenty20 Internationals there to rejuvenate a young side that was in serious need of a confidence boost.
The ODI series marked the return to form for Shoaib Malik, who has since gone on to cement his place in the side after being in and out of the mix, while Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, and Ahmed Shehzad also made lofty contributions with the bat.
With the ball, Yasir Shah, the leg-spinner, proved why leaving him out for most parts of Pakistan’s World Cup campaign was a mistake, while Mohammad Irfan showed signs of form following a lengthy layoff. Pakistan have also now added the uncapped Bilal Asif, the off-spinning all-rounder, to the squad, in order to assess his potential before England come calling in the United Arab Emirates next month.
Therefore, when Pakistan, fresh off a 2-0 T20 series triumph, get on to the field at Harare Sports Club today to face Zimbabwe in the first of three ODIs, they will do so as the overwhelming favourites.
Zimbabwe are slowly getting used to life without Brendan Taylor, their most prolific batsman in recent times.
The home series against India was an eye-opener in terms of where they stood on the batting front. After coming within touching distance of a win in the first ODI, Zimbabwe were beaten convincingly in the next two matches by a young Indian team under Ajinkya Rahane. But Zimbabwe showed admirable fight to clinch the one-off T20.
Elton Chigumbura’s move to number four on ODIs has brought solidity, but the onus is equally on Sikandar Raza Butt and Sean Williams to drive the inexperienced batting unit. With the ball, Graeme Cremer’s return has been a welcome change as he lends control in the middle with his legspin. — ICC