Pakistan, after sealing the two-match T20I series, are set to lock horns with Zimbabwe in first of the three ODIs at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Just like the T20s, they would be aiming to keep the home supporters merry.
Pakistan vs Zimbabwe Live Streaming Information: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe 1st ODI match is scheduled for a 4 pm local time (4.30 pm IST, 12 pm BST, 7 am ET) start with live coverage in India on Ten Cricket.
The live streaming of the match is available HERE in India. In Pakistan, the match will be available live on Ten Sports and PTV Sports, with live streaming option HERE. Willow TV will be streaming the game live for viewers in the United States, live streaming HERE.
Pakistan vs Zimbabwe Live Score Updates: The live score updates of the game is available online HERE and HERE.
This three-match series is very significant from Pakistan’s perspective, as the results could prove vital in their qualification for the 2017 Champions Trophy – the tournament that would feature top-seven teams of the world.
Pakistan are currently sixth in the ODI standings, but they will be facing stiff competition from Sri Lanka and West Indies, that are seventh and eighth in the rankings. The cut-off date for qualification is September 30 and Pakistan are in no mood to waste this opportunity.
“Our target is win all the matches of the series and it’s the main target for us,” Pakistan’s Azhar Ali said. “We will learn from our mistakes in the past and will try to take fresh start.”
“We will try to give consistent chances to the players but at the same time we have a priority to make sure we won’t miss out form the Champions Trophy too and will also help our future plans.
“It’s such an occasion as a team and for me that it’s very important to win,” he added. “You also know the scenario that we have to win every match and with every game points count, every game is important and we will enter with our minds set on victory.”
However, it would not be a walk in the park for Pakistan, seeing spirited batting performance Zimbabwe had shown in the T20s. They couldn’t deliver the final punch in both previous games, and Pakistan know they are a tough nut to crack.
“I think Zimbabwe, especially their batting, did very well in the T20s,” Azhar said. “Our team is also very good, it has a mix of experience and youth. It’s a good combination and our side is definitely better than them on paper but we got to keep a check on their performance as well.”
“They are very good batting side and played very well in both T20s,” he added. “When we went to Bangladesh we had very few options of allrounders, but if you look at this side we have good allrounders making into the squad, which eventually will help us a lot.”
Zimbabwe (probable): Chamu Chibhabha (wk), Vusi Sibanda, Hamilton Masakadza, Charles Coventry, Craig Ervine, Elton Chigumbura (c), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Tinashe Panyangara, Tawana Mupariwa and Brian Vitori.
Pakistan (probable): Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shahzad, Azhar Ali (c), Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Asad Shafiq, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Sami and Junaid Khan.
