The Zimbabweans may sit low in the ICC ratings but over confidence could come at an embarrassing cost to Pakistan - Complacency could well prove to be Pakistan's biggest enemy on this tour.

By PakPassion Staff (21st August, 2013)

The boys in green are back! After a successful tour in the West Indies, some players dispersed to leagues like the Caribbean Premier League while others just took time off and went into train for upcoming tours. But all that is the recent past and if the intensity of their training in Lahore (despite the weather) is any indicator, this team means business.

In reality, Zimbabwe is a team that Pakistan really shouldn’t have trouble against. It's, therefore, no surprise that the selectors have opted for a number of young/inexperienced players such as Umar Amin, Ahmad Shehzad, Haris Sohail and Nasir Jamshed to fly the national standard - all of whom are all expected to show some form and be amongst the runs.

The addition to the team of Anwar Ali has also been welcomed by all observers of the game. He has been playing consistently in domestic cricket for a while with both bat and ball so it should be interesting to see whether he can act as an all-rounder for the team. The presence of Shahid Afridi always adds an ingredient of excitement in any series and the Zimbabweans may well be treated to some typical Afridi style batting (or bowling) - that is if it all goes to Afridi's plan!

The Test team features some new and not so new names - Shan Masood (brought in place of Imran Farhat) and Khurram Manzoor join the team based on a solid reputation and Azhar Ali and Adnan Akmal need no introduction. Senior player Younis Khan also makes a return to the side in the longer format and in theory, should use this series to get himself in shape for my sterner tests in the form of the upcoming series against South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Despite his superb consistency in the West Indies tour, Umar Akmal has been ruled out of the series due to a back injury, although reports from the player himself suggest otherwise; Sarfraz Ahmed has been named as his replacement.

The tour is considered an easy one for the Pakistan team, so expectations remain high for everyone. With Misbah leading the team in both ODIs and Tests, one would hope he would make his first ODI hundred in this tour. It will also be interesting to see who he chooses in the Playing XI. Youngsters as Shahid Afridi stated earlier in a conference, are expected to be given most chances in this tour to solidify a place in the team.

However, as mentioned by Dav Whatmore in recent remarks to the press, one should note that Zimbabwe should not be underestimated. Event the team manager, Moin Khan, knows well the folly of underestimating a seemingly weak side - Pakistan’s defeat against Bangladesh in 1999 being a prime example.

Zimbabwe were recently whitewashed by India and should be fired up to make amends for that loss. Pakistan will need to keep an eye out for the Pakistan born Zimbabwe batsmen, Sikandar Raza, who went on to make 82 against India in the first ODI. In addition, Utseya and Sibanda both made half-centuries, while Chigumbura and Williams were a couple of runs short of that milestone. The Zimbabweans may sit low in the ICC ratings but over confidence could come at an embarrassing cost to Pakistan - Complacency could well prove to be Pakistan's biggest enemy on this tour.

Schedule:

2 T20Is

Aug 23 - First T20, Harare
Aug 24 - Second T20, Harare


3 ODIS
Aug 27 - First ODI, Harare
Aug 29 - Second ODI, Harare
Aug 31 - Third ODI, Harare

2 Test Matches

Sep 3-7 - First Test, Harare
Sep 10-14 - Second Test, Bulawayo