T20I Tri-Series 2025: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe | Match 01 | Rawalpindi | November 18 | Match Discussion

[Cricket Warrior]

Pakistan will face Zimbabwe in the opening match of the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series 2025, as the hosts look to launch their campaign with a strong performance in front of a supportive Rawalpindi crowd. With a squad that mixes experience and fresh talent, Pakistan will aim to take early control of the tournament, while Zimbabwe, guided by the leadership of Sikandar Raza, arrive keen to push hard and fine-tune their T20 setup for the season ahead.

Pakistan Squad:
Salman Agha (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (†), Usman Tariq


Zimbabwe Squad:
Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Brad Evans, Clive Madande (†), Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Brendan Taylor (†)

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[hur rizvi]

Huge question marks on babar, usman khan, and Abdul Samad

 

[hur rizvi]

Naseem too has made his way back without any improvement/performances

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Good Luck, Babar!

It’s time to prove the haters wrong.

 

[hassan918]

Good Luck, Babar!

It’s time to prove the haters wrong.

It would be interesting if he opens the batting or bat at number 3.

 

[Omer2002]

Ayub and farhan who should be keeping should open with fakhar at no 3 ideally but then there is no space for babar

 

[Rana]

It would be interesting if he opens the batting or bat at number 3.

It seems like having exposed yourself as basically a RizBar fan, you are interested in having him open.

 

[hassan918]

It seems like having exposed yourself as basically a RizBar fan, you are interested in having him open.

No, I am not a fan of them playing in T20 cricket together. But since he is in the squad so he is very likely to be part of the playing XI.

I am happy with Saim, Farhan and Fakhar as top 3.

 

[Rana]

No, I am not a fan of them playing in T20 cricket together. But since he is in the squad so he is very likely to be part of the playing XI.

I am happy with Saim, Farhan and Fakhar as top 3.

I’ll take your word for it.

But I will be watching your posts closely now. You have raised deep concerns by stating you would pick Rizwan in the side over Harris. For me that’s a big red flag from any poster. It means that there is still a massive lack of education amongst Pakistan cricket fans when it comes to understanding white ball/modern white ball requirements.

No person in England would say that they would take Ben Foulkes over Phil Salt in T20 because Foulkes is actually a gun wicket keeper. No one!

 

[hassan918]

I’ll take your word for it.

But I will be watching your posts closely now. You have raised deep concerns by stating you would pick Rizwan in the side over Harris. For me that’s a big red flag from any poster. It means that there is still a massive lack of education amongst Pakistan cricket fans when it comes to understanding white ball/modern white ball requirements.

No person in England would say that they would take Ben Foulkes over Phil Salt in T20 because Foulkes is actually a gun wicket keeper. No one!

Hehe, you are putting Haris in the same league as Saim

No one can help you my brother

 

[Rana]

Hehe, you are putting Haris in the same league as Saim

No one can help you my brother

I don’t know what you mean by Saim here?

I love Saim Ayub. I believe he is Pakistan’s premier batsman. He is the best white ball batsman in Pakistan right now.

 

[hassan918]

I don’t know what you mean by Saim here?

I love Saim Ayub. I believe he is Pakistan’s premier batsman. He is the best white ball batsman in Pakistan right now.

Sorry, I meant Salt

 

[hassan918]

I don’t know what you mean by Saim here?

I love Saim Ayub. I believe he is Pakistan’s premier batsman. He is the best white ball batsman in Pakistan right now.

Yes, Saim is class. I am very happy that the selectors and management didn't lose patience with him and kept on playing him even when he was not scoring too many runs.

 

[Rana]

Sorry, I meant Salt

You are missing the point. Phil Salt isn’t the Gun he is today by just being it right from the very beginning of his career. He’s had lots of games in the beginning where he was looking totally out of place in International cricket. He’s been a long, hard and well earned investment paying off for England…

That being said. To Pakistanis and guys who like Rizwan, he is essentially a “tulla”. That’s what you people will call him. He might score a nice little 50 one day and then have a string of poor scores. That’s the way he is.

However, even then no English fan or pundit would say for any of their T20 or Hundred franchise sides that “I would prefer Ben Foulkes to play instead of Phil Salt”. Foulkes as a keeper is better than Salt, and as a batter he is a much safer option who can camp in and get runs.

I didn’t say Harris is as good as Salt. Do not try playing these cheeky games with me.

 

[hassan918]

You are missing the point. Phil Salt isn’t the Gun he is today by just being it right from the very beginning of his career. He’s had lots of games in the beginning where he was looking totally out of place in International cricket. He’s been a long, hard and well earned investment paying off for England…

That being said. To Pakistanis and guys who like Rizwan, he is essentially a “tulla”. That’s what you people will call him. He might score a nice little 50 one day and then have a string of poor scores. That’s the way he is.

However, even then no English fan or pundit would say for any of their T20 or Hundred franchise sides that “I would prefer Ben Foulkes to play instead of Phil Salt”. Foulkes as a keeper is better than Salt, and as a batter he is a much safer option who can camp in and get runs.

I didn’t say Harris is as good as Salt. Do not try playing these cheeky games with me.

I am not playing any games. You're the one who brought Salt into the discussion. Let's watch the tri-series first and see if Usman Khan makes a case. If he makes good contributions in this series, we might see him take a place as a wicket-keeper batter for some more series/tournaments. This is a huge opportunity for him.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Salman Mirza and Usman Tariq should get a game here.

 

[harshjoshi87]

Should be interesting to see how Babar plays now that he is back in the T20 side.

 

[Kianig89]

Who will score a 30 ball 100 for Pakistan since we all are waiting for this

 

[adi_62941]

Mr chewing gum salman agha sahab keep on repeting during press conference that we will give chances to the youngsters in this series, but serious question is where are youngsters in this squad?
All same players of 2023 WC has been brought back. Only shadab is left out because of injury, who i am sure will make direct entry in T20 WC without playing any domestic

 

[adi_62941]

I think they will give qurbani of sahibzada farhan. Maybe he will get to play 1 or 2 matches and if he failed in one, he will be dropped and fakhar will be brought back.
I hope babar fail again so that we dont have to see him struggling against spin in T20 WC

 

[hafizexpress]

I wasn't a fan of bringing Saim down the order in the Asia Cup. He should open with Farhan with Babar one down and Fakhar coming in at 4 where he's found success in the past. This top 4 should be our premier top order going into this world cup and they need to be given all the confidence and stick in the world. After this, the middle order is fragile unless Agha can turn it around.

 

[BouncerGuy]

So If fakhar is gonna play, he is gonna bo playing at 4 now...

Farhan and Saim will open but if saim fails again, i will rest him to let fakhar open again...

 

[IAJ]

Is this true?:

"Because of these meaningless matches, the authorities have made life extremely difficult for the citizens of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Everyday routines have been disrupted. I hear constant complaints: tasks that normally take ten minutes now stretch into hours, all because of the traffic diversions and road closures.

The heavy-handed security measures have turned both cities into fortresses. Entire neighborhoods are sealed off, checkpoints are everywhere, and ordinary people are forced to endure endless queues. Parents struggle to get their children to school, patients miss medical appointments, and businesses suffer as customers simply cannot reach them. What should be normal city life has been paralyzed."

 

[Kianig89]

Good opportunity for Farhan and Usman to end the noise of Rizwan coming back , lets do it

 

[Rana]

Good opportunity for Farhan and Usman to end the noise of Rizwan coming back , lets do it

Are you trying to imagine things that are non existent? Or you clearly live on another planet as I have pointed out?

Where is there Noise of Rizwan coming back?

 

[YousafTheBeast]

It would be interesting if he opens the batting or bat at number 3.

King should open to maximise his chances of scoring a century.

Am I doing this right? @BouncerGuy

 

[BouncerGuy]

King should open to maximise his chances of scoring a century.

Am I doing this right? @BouncerGuy

No.... Not IMO... Should bat at 3 or maybe just rest...

 

[Usman Chadda]

I am not playing any games. You're the one who brought Salt into the discussion. Let's watch the tri-series first and see if Usman Khan makes a case. If he makes good contributions in this series, we might see him take a place as a wicket-keeper batter for some more series/tournaments. This is a huge opportunity for him.

Usman Khan can't even out-perform Haris in four day cricket, what hope does he have of doing that in international cricket?

I mean Haris has been terrible, but Usman is basically a non-entity at international level.

 

[Rana]

Who will score a 30 ball 100 for Pakistan since we all are waiting for this

Babar Azam

 

[BouncerGuy]

Tough days ahead for Babar — if he scores runs, he’ll still get trolled, and if he fails, he’ll be abused too. Poor guy

 

[Fanboy375]

It better if Babar gets out for 0 or 1 vs Zim but score 70-80 runs vs SL next match
People will not say he is Zimbabar

 

[Ball Blazer]

It better if Babar gets out for 0 or 1 vs Zim but score 70-80 runs vs SL next match
People will not say he is Zimbabar

Very thoughtful strategy

 

[Rana]

Tough days ahead for Babar — if he scores runs, he’ll still get trolled, and if he fails, he’ll be abused too. Poor guy

So, he should get lost.

 

[Rana]

Zimbu score a nice 40 off 33 today boy

Show them you are king!

 

[BouncerGuy]

So, he should get lost.

Maybe you should do it then... Because you are the guy who is gonna abuse him unnecessarily.... Thanks

 

[Rana]

Maybe you should do it then... Because you are the guy who is gonna abuse him unnecessarily.... Thanks

From the river to the sea

Babar and Rizwan go away please

 

[RidiculousMan]

Lamb chomp special

 

[BouncerGuy]

From the river to the sea

Babar and Rizwan go away please

Keep crying... Babar is here to play...

 

[RidiculousMan]

Mr chewing gum salman agha sahab keep on repeting during press conference that we will give chances to the youngsters in this series, but serious question is where are youngsters in this squad?
All same players of 2023 WC has been brought back. Only shadab is left out because of injury, who i am sure will make direct entry in T20 WC without playing any domestic

Youngsters have been filtered out.

 

[zahid01]

King should open to maximise his chances of scoring a century.

Am I doing this right? @BouncerGuy

Why can't he score a century batting at 3 don't want him wasting balls first up atleast with farhan and saim they get on with the job or get out

 

[ads101]

I’d like Usman to get a shot at opening. The other openers have not been that impressive, even Farhan has been decent but not out of the park. Usman outperformed everyone in list an and PSL cricket, be it fakhar, Rizwan, Babar, Saim etc. Why not give him free license to see what he can do as opener?

I feel he’s the only one out of the top performers we’ve tried, who we’ve never given a settled position and consistent long run. Just games in patches shuffled around the order. Even Haris has got it to an extent.

 

[cricfan432]

Surely samad should get chance as lower order hitter, we are lacking in that area.

 

[Rana]

Feels like Sri Lanka have more inner politics than Pakistan right now.

 

[Kianig89]

How many T20 games Pakistan has before Wt20

 

[Theo_14]

Surely samad should get chance as lower order hitter, we are lacking in that area.

Isn’t he out with a finger injury?

 

[Ball Blazer]

I am hoping for the following:

Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Usman / Samad, Muhammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, M Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed

 

[Asif321]

Why so less crowd

 

[Rana]

Again, bowling first.

Getting sick and tired of this.

 

[Rana]

Too scared to bat first and put up a total against Zimbabwe

 

[Ball Blazer]

Pakistan win the toss and will bowl first!

 

[AAli98]

Zimbabwe E Azam fill your boots

 

[Rana]

Another pathetic viewing expected. Zimbabwe with a score of 120-130,

Pakistan chasing in 17-18 overs

 

[Devadwal]

Salman Agha: We are going to bowl. It's going to be slower, not typical Pindi track. There won't be much dew. .

And this guy Pakistan captain? He pitch is going to be slower and no dew means batting first is way to go. Lol

:ko

 

[Devadwal]

Salman Agha: We are going to bowl. It's going to be slower, not typical Pindi track. There won't be much dew. .

And this guy Pakistan captain? if pitch is going to be slower and no dew means batting first is way to go. Lol

 

[Ball Blazer]

Zimbabwe's recent form hasn't been quite so rosy, suffering a 0-3 whitewash of their own, at home to Afghanistan earlier this month. They're also yet to register a T20I win in Pakistan in five attempts

 

[Rana]

Fakhar at 6 lol

 

[ha5is12]

Ya Rab please allow the Zimbabwean national team to make a score of 180+ so I can watch some sort of chase please. Ameen

 

[Kianig89]

So Pakistan to bowl first, very confident

 

[Ball Blazer]

Pakistan (Playing XI): Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan(w), Salman Agha(c), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brad Evans, Sikandar Raza(c), Brendan Taylor(w), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Tony Munyonga, Graeme Cremer, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava

 

[Omer2002]

my days that is some odd looking batting line up..usman shoudnt be playing for starters should have tried samad and given gloves to sahbzada. I have no idea how they will make the batting line up

 

[adi_62941]

If farhan can keep, then why keep on playing usman useless khan? Is this some kind of contract PCB did with him or what?

 

[Rana]

Just constantly destroying all interest of the fans with these pathetic, cowardly decisions

 

[G0rmintAunty]

Are they going to show it on YT? Usually live stream starts half an hour earlier but not yet today.

 

[Aami]

Just constantly destroying all interest of the fans with these pathetic, cowardly decisions

Totally agree.

 

[Aami]

Pak just does not have confidence in their middle order batters, regardless of who the next big hitter coach is:

Nos 4 to 6 vacant in T20s
Nos 5 and 6 in odis

Just keep trying, Fakhar at 6? C'm on!

 

[RidiculousMan]

What a start from Zimbabwe!

 

[RidiculousMan]

If farhan can keep, then why keep on playing usman useless khan? Is this some kind of contract PCB did with him or what?

Maybe. Or just pity quota

 

[jamie smith fan]

Bennett is very talented player he got 130 something vs eng in a test match also at a sr of 100+
He is certainly the best batter from Zimbabwe currently

 

[Devadwal]

@Rana @Ahmed216 your premier fasstt bowler aka trundler is getting smashed by Zimbabwe

 

[Katwalindian]

Zimbabwe's recent form hasn't been quite so rosy, suffering a 0-3 whitewash of their own, at home to Afghanistan earlier this month. They're also yet to register a T20I win in Pakistan in five attempts

They toured pak in 2015 and 2020

 

[Katwalindian]

He is SA level batsman playing in Zimbabwe plus greame creamer is also quality player..

Bennett is very talented player he got 130 something vs eng in a test match also at a sr of 100+
He is certainly the best batter from Zimbabwe currently

 

[Omer2002]

Zimb are missin zubermani and couple of batters otherwise i wud have classed them as favourites even now will be a good game

 

[Kianig89]

Aggressive Start by Zim

 

[Rana]

Bennet seems like another Zimbu

 

[Rana]

Man with zero power going at 30 off 19

Sharam karo Pakistaniyo

 

[gazza619]

Man with zero power going at 30 off 19

Sharam karo Pakistaniyo

Blame it on RizBar

 

[Deewana Mastana]

So Pakistan is getting a phainta in the first 6 overs already.

 

[Aami]

1 x 6 and still 60 in 6

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Is the pitch a 200 wicket

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Abrar getting spanked now too in his first over