Zimbabwe will look to level the three-match T20I series against Pakistan in Bulawayo, after a 57-run defeat in the first match exposed their middle-order weaknesses.
After losing early wickets by Tadiwanashe Marumani and Sikandar Raza that powered them to 75 for 2 in eight overs, a promising counter-attack went up in smoke as the hosts lost their last eight wickets for just 31 runs.
Raza’s brilliance with both bat and ball was a bright spot, but Chevron’s inability to finish strongly continues to haunt them.
Their batting collapse was not an isolated incident – a weakness that had plagued them in previous games, including previous T20 World Cup campaigns.
Also read: Pakistan Playing 11 vs Zimbabwe – 2nd T2OI, Pakistan Zimbabwe tour 2024
Zimbabwe Team
Sikandar Raza (captain), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande (goalkeeper), Wesley Madhevere, Tinotene Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani (goalkeeper), Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Tashingaeing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava
Zimbabwe Playing 11 vs Pakistan – 2nd T2OI, Pakistan Zimbabwe tour 2024
Openers: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani
Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani will continue as Chevron’s top order players in the second T20I against Pakistan.
While Bennett managed to score just six runs off five balls in the opener, his intent and ability to spin the strike remains crucial in setting the tone in the power play.
On the other hand, Marumani was the pick of the lot with an aggressive 33 off 20 balls, four boundaries and a six.
His strike rate of 165.00 shows how he can handle the bowlers, especially in the early overs. His partnership with Bennett will be their key to counter Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack.
Middle-order batsmen and batsmen: Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (capt), Ryan Burl, Clive Madande (W), Wessly Madhevere
Their middle order for the 2nd T20I against Pakistan will depend on captain Sikandar Raza and also Ryan Burl, Clive Madande and Wessly Madhevere.
Raza, their most experienced player, was in excellent form in the T2O and was one of the standouts for Chevron in the 1st T20.
Ryan Burl is a dangerous batsman and a valuable middle-order bat. Goalkeeper Clive Madande was solid and made a good impact even when the game was under pressure. Handy all-rounder Wessly Madhevere adds to their depth.
Bowlers: Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Brandon Mavuta
They are likely to field the same bowling attack for the second T20I, with Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani again leading the charge.
Ngarawa and Muzarabani, though they leaked 41 each in their four-over innings in the first game, are crucial to Chevron’s chances of having bounce and momentum.
