Pakistan and Zimbabwe ODI series begins on Sunday

From November 24 to December 5, Pakistan and Zimbabwe will face off in a three-match ODI series at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, followed by an equal number of T20Is. Pakistan defeated Australia 2-1 in their home ground earlier in November, and this will be their second ODI series this month.

Aqib Javed, a former fast bowler and member of the National Men's Selection Committee, has been named the Pakistan team's temporary white-ball head coach till the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy at home. He joined the team on Friday, and his first task will be the ODI series against Zimbabwe.

In preparation for the ODI series, Pakistan's ODI team, captained by Mohammad Rizwan, arrived in Zimbabwe on Wednesday and held three intensive practice sessions. The untested pair of Abrar Ahmed and Ahmed Daniyal, along with pacers Shahnawaz Dahani and Tayyab Tahir, have replaced Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi in the 15-man team.

The last 50-over match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe took place at Rawalpindi in November 2020, with Pakistan defeating the visitors 2-1. Pakistan defeated the Chevrons in a five-match ODI series in July 2018 during their most recent trip to Zimbabwe.

The ODI captain of Pakistan, Muhammad Rizwan:

"We want to test out our bench strength and prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at home, so the ODI series against Zimbabwe is equally important to us." We want to maintain the winning momentum from our most recent ODI series with the Almighty's assistance.

It will be thrilling to watch other players step up and support the squad at different points during the 50-over matches, as our three key players will be taking a break following the Australia series.

"We do expect the home team to present us with challenges during the three ODIs, as we have played against them on multiple occasions, but this series will also test our temperament in terms of supporting a historic victory in Australia."

Pakistan ODI squad: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Shahnawaz Dahani, Saim Ayub, and Tayyab Tahir

Zimbabwe ODI squad: Craig Ervine (captain), Brian Bennett, Blessing Muzarabani, Brandon Mavuta, Clive Madande, Dion Myers, Faraz Akram, Joylord Gumbie, Richard Ngarava, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tashinga Musekiwa, Tinotenda Maposa and Trevor Gwandu.

Schedule of matches: (All matches to be played at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo)

24 Nov – 1st ODI vs Zimbabwe (12.30pm Pakistan time start)

26 Nov – 2nd ODI vs Zimbabwe (12.30pm Pakistan time start)

28 Nov – 3rd ODI vs Zimbabwe (12.30pm Pakistan time start)

1 Dec – 1st T20I vs Zimbabwe (4pm Pakistan time start)

3 Dec – 2nd T20I vs Zimbabwe (4pm Pakistan time start)

5 Dec – 3rd T20I vs Zimbabwe (4pm Pakistan time start)