Pressure is increasing as Pakistan prepares a reaction against Zimbabwe

After losing to India in their opening game, Pakistan can’t afford any mistakes, so the pressure will be on when they play Zimbabwe in Perth on Thursday.

Pakistan and the Netherlands both had 0 points after the first round of games due to the circumstances of Pakistan’s defeat against India, which was difficult to accept.

Along with their neighbours, South Africa was Pakistan’s other main opponent for a qualifying spot before to the event. However, with Bangladesh’s successful start and Zimbabwe’s development as a well-rounded threat, Babar Azam’s team has a lot to be afraid of in Group 2.

Iftikhar Ahmed informed reporters that the leadership members of the squad have been anxious to emphasise that it’s not the time to dwell. Pakistan will need to recover from defeat.

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“The way the captain, the coach supported the whole squad, they were exceptional,” he said. “And the message is clear that was the first game, now time to move forward.”

Zimbabwe made it through to the Super 12 stage partly thanks to a strong and pacy bowling attack, a group of players who should thrive on the bouncy service in Perth.

Richard Ngarava is a doubt after his injury in the rain-interrupted fixture against South Africa, but captain Craig Ervine is hopeful that his big fast bowler can make an appearance.

“I think he’s doing all right,” Ervine said. “Even after today’s training session, the game only starts at seven tomorrow. It’s quite a bit of time for him to recover and hopefully it’s not too serious.”

A loss for either side in this fixture would leave them needing a remarkable turnaround to secure a final-four spot. 

Predicted Playing XIs

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi

Zimbabwe: Craig Ervine (c), Regis Chakabva (wk), Wesley Madhevere, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Richard Ngarava, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani

Key Players

Sikandar Raza

The captain of Zimbabwe was named Player of the Match in the most recent Round 1 match against Scotland, scoring 40 runs off just 23 balls to advance Zimbabwe to the Super 12. He is the cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s batting order and an important contributor with the ball. Raza will almost probably have to resign if there is even the slightest possibility of a surprise.

Shaheen Afridi

In this event, early wickets are crucial for putting the lower-ranked teams on the ropes, and Pakistan’s Shaheen is the bowler you should bet to score runs in the Powerplay. He has an incredible record early in an innings, and Zimbabwe will be fully aware of the challenge ahead.

Dream11 Fantasy Picks

Captaincy Pick: Sikandar Raza

In 2022, Sikandar Raza has already spewed fire. The 36-year-old has scored 652 runs and taken 20 wickets at averages of 38.35 and 17.90, respectively, in 20 T20 Internationals this year.

Must-have: Babar Azam

The Pakistani captain and opening batter serves as the anchor at the top of the order for his team. A player of his calibre might destroy Zimbabwe, and if he contributes significantly, Pakistan will be well on its way to winning.

Differential Pick: Mohammad Nawaz

It won’t be simple for the Pakistani spinner to recover from the heartbreaking last-over loss to India. However, Nawaz is an excellent bowler and will be seeking a quick response and the opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the competition.

T20 World Cup: Pakistan look to bounce back in Zimbabwe clash today

Pakistan will play Zimbabwe in their second group encounter on Thursday in an effort to pick up their T20 World Cup campaign.

Babar Azam and his team will be hoping to get back to winning ways in their Group 2 match against Zimbabwe in Perth after losing the blockbuster against archrivals India on the very last ball of an extraordinarily thrilling match at a roaring Melbourne Cricket Ground last Sunday as Virat Kohli played a masterpiece knock.

For the first time ever, the two teams are competing against one another in a T20 World Cup.

Only one of the 17 T20 Internationals the greenshirts have played against Zimbabwe has ended in a loss, and that was in Harare last year during a bilateral series. Given the highly unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, Babar and colleagues must be vigilant even though Pakistan appears to be stronger than Zimbabwe on paper.

The spirit to pull off an upset that can derail Pakistan, who are known for their own brand of unpredictability in the game’s shortest format, can be given to Craig Ervine’s team by Zimbabwe’s rain-marred first Super 12 game against South Africa in Hobart on Monday, which gave the former a crucial point.

The spirit to pull off an upset that can derail Pakistan, who are known for their own brand of unpredictability in the game’s shortest format, can be given to Craig Ervine’s team by Zimbabwe’s rain-marred first Super 12 game against South Africa in Hobart on Monday, which gave the former a crucial point.

‘Pakistan still hurting from India loss’

Iftikhar Ahmed, an all-rounder for Pakistan, said that his team was “heartbroken” and still suffering from the agonising first loss to India in the T20 World Cup.

When Pakistan plays Zimbabwe in Perth on Thursday, there won’t be much space for error because Pakistan is anticipated to win.

“The hurt remains after losing such a big match. We were heartbroken,” said middle-order batsman Iftikhar, who hit 51 in Pakistan’s 159-8 against India, but it turned out to be just not quite enough.

Iftikhar said that morale was high despite the lingering heartache and praised Babar for his handling of the team in the aftermath of the India loss.

A video of Babar’s pep talk to his broken side went viral.

“We have to learn from our mistakes. Don’t fall, the tournament has just begun. We have lost as a team and will win as a team,” Babar said in the widely watched video footage.

“The way Babar and the management supported the players, it was good. Babar and coaches told us that ‘it was not our last game, everybody put in the effort’,” Iftikhar said.

“So our morale is high.”

Pakistan will be strongly fancied to beat Zimbabwe — who are ranked 11 in the world to Pakistan’s three — and belatedly get their World Cup going.

Pakistan need a victory for their confidence too.

“Zimbabwe is an international team and we have to play strong against them like any other team,” said the 32-year-old Iftikhar.

“Important to play well and keep up the confidence. The players are hungry to perform.”

Pakistan pace bowler Haris Rauf bowled well at the MCG until he was hit for two successive sixes by Kohli in a game-changing moment at the end of the 19th over.

“The Australian pitches are fast and bouncy and we have prepared for that,” said Iftikhar.

“Haris is our main strike bowler and we expect him to bowl better here and win it for Pakistan.”

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