Zimbabwe v Pakistan | 2nd Test | Harare | 7th-11th May, 2021 | Pre-Match Discussion

[MenInG]

So a convincing win by an innings and 116 runs for Pakistan in the 1st Test which is great - but should Pakistan now give a chance to players like Tabish, Dhani etc in the next game?

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

When was the last time when Pak changed a "winning combination"™ in middle of a series?

I genuinely want to see Dhani play for Pakistan.

Tabish, well, he is like Fawad Alam. A career wasted by PCB... Mind you, we've had gems like Bhatti, Rahat and Wahab Riaz...

Sohail Khan is another bowler who was mercilessly dealt by corrupt PCB.

 

[PakPremi]

Agree Sohail Khan and Tabish Khan been mishandled by Pakistani selectors /coaches. Tabish Khan did not even had fitness issues, apparently he is very fit. This is why we cry we have no talent because the actual talent is ignored. Good job Mohd Wasim is at helm now and picking deserving candidates except Asif Ali for T20s.

 

[Saj]

Throw some untried players and youngsters in.

This Zimbabwe team is so bad that Pakistan should be able to pick any XI and beat them.

 

[UzmanBeast]

I don't think Shaheen will be rested given how little Pakistan plays test cricket, after all, they'll see it as an excuse to give him game time.

Dahani should get a game despite having mediocre FC stats, so if we play three pacers, I think we'd need to drop one of Nauman/Sajid.

Azhar should be dropped for Saud definitely.

Maybe there's a case for dropping Faheem if we play three pacers, and instead bringing in a spin-bowling all-rounder like Nawaz or Agha.

I agree that Sajid hasn't gotten a proper chance, so then I'd drop Nauman for Nawaz.

I'd play the following team:

Abid Ali
Imran Butt
Saud Shakeel (debut)
Babar Azam (c)
Fawad Alam
Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
Mohammad Nawaz (recalled after a while)
Hasan Ali
Sajid Khan
Shahnawaz Dahani (debut)
Shaheen Shah Afridi

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I think overall Babar is gonna try play it safe which is horrible and go into this last test unchanged.

For me i would rest Shaheen for Tabish, play him i say for the love of God give the lad a chance.

I was a little let down with Sajid but don't know if these conditions will suit him so i might want to trial Zahid otherwise I am happy for Sajid to have another go as i put his non-performance in this match down to nerves. InshAllah Sajid pulls something off as well, he's useful with the bat and is a great fielder as well.

 

[PakLFC]

Anything short of another innings victory will be a disappointment. Try some new faces.

 

[Sultan Baba]

My Playing XI For 2nd Test........

Imran Butt
Abid Ali
Saud Shakeel
Babar Azam(c)
Fawad Alam
Mohammad Rizwan(wk)
Hassan Ali
Nauman Ali
Sajid Khan
Shaheen Afridi
Tabish Khan

 

[silent ischemia]

I would select both Dhani and Tabish for Faheem and Shaheen. And yes Shakeel comes in for Azhar Ali. It would be harsh to drop Sajid for Zahid; maybe Zahid for Nauman

Abid
Imran
Shakeel
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan
Hassan
Sajid
Zahid
Dhani
Tabish

 

[Ami]

I understand Pakistan hardly plays any test cricket, so the likes of Abid, Azhar, Fawad, Nauman etc should play what ever matches come along but...

...With Azhar, 36, now, we need to start looking at permanent no 3 going forward; Saud Shakeel should be given a chance at his expense.

As for bowling, may be Tabish Khan, at the expense of may be Sajid Khan or one of Faheem or Afridi. However, asking Faheem to rest would mean an extended tail with Hasan or Nauman Ali coming at no 7.

I'll go with this team...

Abid
Imran
Saud
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan
Faheem
Hasan
Nauman
Sajid
Tabish

 

[PakPremi]

As Pakistan do not play many tests all test players that do not play LOIs should play except Sajid K There is no need for two spinners in Zimbabwe. It was pacers who took most wickets. So Tabish has to debut. With Tabish, Shaheen and Hasan Ali for pace bowling Fahim can be rested and Saud Shakil given opportunity to also debut.
Fawad Alam can also chip in with some overs if needed.

 

[Line and Length]

They better play Saud. If they don’t, they are even more clueless and incompetent than I thought they were.

 

[Nasty Naz]

For god sake, please try some youngsters. It's laughable they're going full strength against Zimbabwe.

It just shows how Misbah is more interested in protecting his job and avoiding criticism than focusing on a long-term outlook by trying out the new guys.

Ideally, they should bench Azhar and rest Faheem considering they're playing him non-stop in every format. Shaheen should be rested too. Play Saud, Salman and Tabish. Salman has the potential to be a useful allrounder, especially in Asia pitches where I don't see much use for Faheem.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Agree Sohail Khan and Tabish Khan been mishandled by Pakistani selectors /coaches. Tabish Khan did not even had fitness issues, apparently he is very fit. This is why we cry we have no talent because the actual talent is ignored. Good job Mohd Wasim is at helm now and picking deserving candidates except Asif Ali for T20s.

Add Aizaz Cheema to the list as well.

He has 572 wickets averaging 20 runs per wickets and eleven 10fers...

In worst case scenario, at least one amongst Tabish, Sohail or Aizaz should have played 60 tests and get around 220+ wickets averaging 24-29 runs/wicket.

It is a travesty that no pacer from Pak has reached 200 wickets landmark since Waqar. And PCB are entirely to be blamed for it.

 

[hitthestump]

At least one new fast bowler needs to be tried here. Shaheen and Hasan appear to be a settled partnership now but Abbas's old spot is open and we need to know who is going to fill it.

If Saud isn't debuted then here then Misbah is officially making it up as he goes along.

 

[MenInG]

Tabish, Dhani and Saud in my view are a must for next XI.

 

[Line and Length]

At least one new fast bowler needs to be tried here. Shaheen and Hasan appear to be a settled partnership now but Abbas's old spot is open and we need to know who is going to fill it.

If Saud isn't debuted then here then Misbah is officially making it up as he goes along.

Faheem can be rested here. Don’t really need the extra bat because Hasan, Nauman, and Sajid are capable. Plus, if we need Faheem’s runs to win against Zimbabwe then we should just quit altogether. Would like to see Dhani get the nod instead of Faheem. But this would be an outside of the box move that our management is most certainly incapable of making.

 

[Coolcapri]

Tabish & Saud deserve a chance.

 

[Rafa]

Pakistan can't get too complacent and make wholesale changes. The Series is still on the line and the Zimbabweans can make a comeback if too many inexperienced players are given a chance .

 

[Ahmed216]

We need a third pacer and a new batsman in top 3 who will soon have to replace Azhar or Abid Ali.Hope Misbah and babar keep that in mind and be far-sighted in their selection

 

[Subhan999]

Zahid should come in
Abdullah should come in
Saud should come in (I really don't see any reason why he can't open)
You could arguably play dahani in place of the second spinner.
Not sure in Imran butt should play over Faheem. Faheem is useful with the ball. Imran makes a massive impact in the slips.
I would play Azhar, why fly him all the way to Zimbabwe to play one test?

Abdullah
Saud
Azhar
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan
Faheem/Imran
Hassan
Nauman/Sajid/dahani
Zahid
Shaheen

 

[Rellu_Katta]

people can dream abt anything and everything but there is not going to be a said shakeel or a dahani

its going to be same eleven... coward misbah isn't going to change

 

[MenInG]

Shoaib Akhtar :

“Shahnawaz Dahani can be given a chance but you need to ask Shaheen [Afridi] if he wants to rest. What if Shaheen doesn’t want to rest? There are already only few Test matches on offer and, if I was asked the same question, I would have played”

“There is no harm in trying out against Zimbabwe. I think Dahani and Zahid Mehmood should be given a chance in the next Test match,” he added.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

Throw some untried players and youngsters in.

This Zimbabwe team is so bad that Pakistan should be able to pick any XI and beat them.

I think you overestimate Pakistan. They already lost a T20 and an ODI to Zimbabwe in the last 12 months. Don't want to add a test to that.
But I agree, untried players should make the team

 

[Artaxerxes]

Tabish should have been selected a long time ago.He was treated badly by PCB like Fawad.It is too late now for him to play for Pakistan.It will be better to develop a youngster.

 

[ChTab]

Abdullah Shafiq
Imran Butt
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Saud Shakeel
Muhammad Rizwan
Faheem Ashraf
Hassan Ali
Sajid Khan
Nauman Ali
Shaheen Shah

 

[Saj]

Come on Misbah give the rookies a chance.

However, I feel he'll go with a safety-first policy again in the 2nd Test.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

In terms of getting rookies in I’d apply just a few changes:

1. Imran Butt
2. Azhar Ali
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Babar Azam
5. Fawad Alam
6. Muhammad Rizwan
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Shanawaz Dhani
9. Numan Ali
10. Sajid Khan
11. Tabish Khan

 

[indianpanacea]

Imran butt
Abdullah shafique
Saud Shakeel
Fawad Alam
Salman agha
Rizwan
Hassan Ali
Numan
Zeeshan
Dhani
Afridi

 

[shamaan]

I think thier should be atleast 2 changes hopefully it does happen but I don't have much confidence in misbah or babar.

I would rest hassan and play shaheen as I think he needs to play tests as he's still learning the art with the older ball.tabish needs to be given ago or I think he should retire.



My line up would be

Abid Ali
Imran butt
Saud shakeel
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan
Fahim
Sajid Khan
Nauman Ali
Tabish
Shaheen.

 

[BigShak]

Abid/Abdullah
Butt
Babar
Saud
Fawad
Agha
Rizwan
Sajid
Dhani
Hasan
Shaheen

 

[ChTab]

This Zimbabwe side is not good as the 1st match suggested, Misbah & co should give youngsters a chance.
But I don't think they will make any changes in the playing XI.

 

[Rafa]

Don't underestimate the Zimbabwean team so much, even in 2013 they made a comeback in the second test after losing the first one. Now Pakistan could get complacent and play a second string side thereby giving the perfect opportunity for Zimbabwe to make a comeback and level the series.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Don't underestimate the Zimbabwean team so much, even in 2013 they made a comeback in the second test after losing the first one. Now Pakistan could get complacent and play a second string side thereby giving the perfect opportunity for Zimbabwe to make a comeback and level the series.

Yep, never get complacent but we should have reliance on people to snatch chances.

 

[ameemlutfi]

Would replace sajid with Salman ali Agha, azhar with saud, and tabish for faheem .maybe one of hasan/shaheen could also make space for Dhani.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Would replace sajid with Salman ali Agha, azhar with saud, and tabish for faheem .maybe one of hasan/shaheen could also make space for Dhani.

Harsh on Sajid I say, still new to the scene and should get the next match. One test match is not enough to judge someone on. Agha is a good batsman but an ok bowler in my view really nothing special.

Saud to play I would certainly play him but in place of maybe Abid Ali who I wasn’t impressed by last match and retain Azhar as an opener.

Tabish wouldn’t make sense in place of Faheem. I would play Tabish in place of Hassan Ali or Shaheen

Dhani same I would place him in place of Hassan Ali or Shaheen.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan Test squad practicing ahead of the 2nd Test against Zimbabwe (pictures courtesy of the PCB)

 

[MenInG]

Pictures (courtesy of the PCB) of Pakistan Test squad practicing ahead of the 2nd Test against Zimbabwe

 

[Canistani Hero]

Azhar Ali
Imran Butt
Saud Shakeel
Babar Azam
Fawad Alam
Mohammad Rizwan
Faheem Ashraf
Hasan Ali
Nauman Ali
Zahid Mahmood
Tabish Khan

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Azhar Ali
Imran Butt
Saud Shakeel
Babar Azam
Fawad Alam
Mohammad Rizwan
Faheem Ashraf
Hasan Ali
Nauman Ali
Zahid Mahmood
Tabish Khan

Good pick but i'd give that boy Sajid another go, first match is hardly enough to judge someone.

 

[sabre1486]

Saud shakeel hopefully gets a go - he has earned the chance. I personally would prefer dhani over tabish but i think it would also be more than fair if tabish got his opportunity he has toiled hard for a while.

 

[El Generico]

What do Azhar and Shaheen get from playing here? Seems like common sense that they should be rested and replaced with Dhani and Shakeel.

 

[hitthestump]

What do Azhar and Shaheen get from playing here? Seems like common sense that they should be rested and replaced with Dhani and Shakeel.

Shaheen has been incredibly mediocre in tests and needs the exposure vs Zimbabwe more than anyone.

 

[b.lesner]

Good pick but i'd give that boy Sajid another go, first match is hardly enough to judge someone.

Replace hassan with Dahani and Faheem with Agha that would be great

 

[b.lesner]

Good pick but i'd give that boy Sajid another go, first match is hardly enough to judge someone.

I don't think so if it was UAE or Pakistan maybe then but here fast bowlers are taking maximum wickets it will be a injustice to him too would hinder his progress.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Replace hassan with Dahani and Faheem with Agha that would be great

Nah, you need to have that third seamer and Faheem does that as an excellent role.

Agha would be a great replacement for someone like Nuaman or Sajid.

Hassan Ali has just returned to the fold so he should be playing.

 

[JibranAnsari]

and i thought that there was only test match

 

[YousafTheBeast]

What a normal human being with half a brain cell would play vs a team like Zimbabwe:

Imran Butt
Abdullah Shafique
Saud Shakeel
Fawad Alam
Mohammad Rizwan
Faheem Ashraf
Mohammad Nawaz
Zahid Mehmood
Sajid Khan
Shahnawaz Dahani
Tabish Khan

What Misbah is likely to play vs Zimbabwe:

Abid Ali
Imran Butt
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Fawad Alam
Mohammad Rizwan
Faheem Ashraf
Hassan Ali
Sajid Khan
Haris Rauf
Shaheen Afridi

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Misbah will be looking to destroy Zimbabwe yet again to receive all the praise possible from the cricket committee.

Misbah never changes a winning team. A safety first person.

 

[hitthestump]

To be fair playing a complete newbies XI isn't what we need either. We need a mix of the best youngsters with the experienced players there to shield them from pressure.

I'd be picking this team:

Imran Butt
Abdullah Shafique
Babar Azam
Saud Shakeel
Fawad Alam
Mohammad Rizwan
Hassan Ali
Nauman Ali
Sajid Khan
Shaheen Afridi
Shahnawaz Dhani

While ordinarily you'd never have Hasan Ali as high at 7 it is a one-off concession you make because it is Zimbabwe. We already know the job Faheem does as back up seamer/lower order batsman. He ought to make way to see what Dhani can do in a specialist role while having Shaheen and Hasan as a failsafe.

 

[Manzy2599]

Misbah will go with the playing it safe option. He’ll barley make any changes cause he’s scared of the criticism he’ll face if they lose the 2nd test. With this kind of mindset they’ll never be a top side. Unfortunately babar has become a yes man captain with Misbah pulling the strings. Malik’s tweets were 100% spot on. Why are the PCB still persisting with Misbah. After the first round exit predicted in the 2021 t20 World Cup he needs to be sacked ASAP.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Misbah will go with the playing it safe option. He’ll barley make any changes cause he’s scared of the criticism he’ll face if they lose the 2nd test. With this kind of mindset they’ll never be a top side. Unfortunately babar has become a yes man captain with Misbah pulling the strings. Malik’s tweets were 100% spot on. Why are the PCB still persisting with Misbah. After the first round exit predicted in the 2021 t20 World Cup he needs to be sacked ASAP.

To be fair the test squad as it is is filled with newbies with Azhar being the most experienced of the lot.

 

[Yasir_ch]

I hope they don't play that trundler tabish khan at 40 years of age.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I hope they don't play that trundler tabish khan at 40 years of age.

Chances are that he may or may not play. Give the lad a chance, he’s certainly earned it.

 

[Zeshan547]

Babar Azam has announced 13 man squad for the 2nd Test


Abid Ali, Imran Butt, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, M Rizwan, Hassan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, SSA, Nauman Ali, Tabish Khan, Sajid Khan, Haris Rauf (said Haris Sohail then someone corrected )

Pehlay aati thi haal e dil pr hansi,
ab kisi baat pr nai aati,
As expected no Saud, no Dhani plus no rest for Shaheen. Such an inspiring combo and selections by Captain Babar and Legend and savior Misbah.

 

[PakPremi]

I hope they don't play that trundler tabish khan at 40 years of age.

He cannot be bad if he been topping domestics year in year out with good averages and strike rates. Age does not matter as long as he is fit and good enough fielder

 

[Ahmed216]

I hope they don't play that trundler tabish khan at 40 years of age.

His selection at the official age of 37 speaks volumes about the state of our cricket.

 

[MenInG]

Pictures (courtesy of the PCB) of Pakistan Test squad practicing ahead of the 2nd Test match against Zimbabwe.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Despite this series i can't wait to watch this tomorrow, bored out of my nut!

 

[Rafa]

Despite this series i can't wait to watch this tomorrow, bored out of my nut!

Any Cricket is better than no Cricket.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Any Cricket is better than no Cricket.

Yep, and now all our Indian friends can join us lol.

 

[shamaan]

Shaheen has been incredibly mediocre in tests and needs the exposure vs Zimbabwe more than anyone.

Is 50 wickets in 16 tests mediocre?

 

[shamaan]

I want tqbish to make a debut ahead of haris sohail and I am disappointed that saud isn't given a chance but what else can we expect from misbah and Babar.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Contrary to what others think, this tactic that Mohammad Wasim has developed to select the players the public wants will not get Pakistan Cricket anywhere.

The likes of Fawad Alam, Nauman Ali, and Tabish Khan are at best solutions for the next three years. After that, we will see age-related decline catch up with them, putting us in virtually the same position we are right now.

This was the right time to bring Saud Shakeel into the team, or even someone like Salman Ali Agha to play as an all-rounder. Bringing Tabish right now won't solve any problems, in fact, as time goes on, we will have more problems to deal with. If Dahani was taken, just give him the debut at that point. What's the point of fiddling with everyone's expectations and going back and forth between youth and experience? Either say that you back experience over youth, or youth over experience, but don't go back on your word so many times.

It sounds harsh, I know, these players like Tabish thoroughly deserved a chance in their prime and were ignored. However, them performing well for a few series won't help our team in the future, and that is the sad truth.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I want tqbish to make a debut ahead of haris sohail and I am disappointed that saud isn't given a chance but what else can we expect from misbah and Babar.

I can kinda see from their perspective as well. I mean Azhar is their most experienced of the lot and the others are newbies so can't say we aren't trying, not our fault that Zimbabwe got steam rolled by newbies.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Contrary to what others think, this tactic that Mohammad Wasim has developed to select the players the public wants will not get Pakistan Cricket anywhere.

The likes of Fawad Alam, Nauman Ali, and Tabish Khan are at best solutions for the next three years. After that, we will see age-related decline catch up with them, putting us in virtually the same position we are right now.

This was the right time to bring Saud Shakeel into the team, or even someone like Salman Ali Agha to play as an all-rounder. Bringing Tabish right now won't solve any problems, in fact, as time goes on, we will have more problems to deal with. If Dahani was taken, just give him the debut at that point. What's the point of fiddling with everyone's expectations and going back and forth between youth and experience? Either say that you back experience over youth, or youth over experience, but don't go back on your word so many times.

It sounds harsh, I know, these players like Tabish thoroughly deserved a chance in their prime and were ignored. However, them performing well for a few series won't help our team in the future, and that is the sad truth.

Bit of an assumption that you think 3 years tops. I don't understand if Azhar, Younis, Tendulkar, Ross Taylor, Misbah, Younis and more can still perform at these ages then why not the new lot in Tabish, Numan and Fawad???? All of these blokes have great fitness in my personal view. We can't just put a stamp on these players and say that's it in 3 years you'll expire.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Bit of an assumption that you think 3 years tops. I don't understand if Azhar, Younis, Tendulkar, Ross Taylor, Misbah, Younis and more can still perform at these ages then why not the new lot in Tabish, Numan and Fawad???? All of these blokes have great fitness in my personal view. We can't just put a stamp on these players and say that's it in 3 years you'll expire.

Azhar, Younis, Tendulkar, Taylor, Misbah, and Younis were all world class batsmen.

They were proven at the international level, but I get your point, it is wrong to label them as expiring soon.

In my opinion, a youngster could have been tried here, perhaps Hasan rested for Tabish, and Dahani brought in for someone else.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Azhar, Younis, Tendulkar, Taylor, Misbah, and Younis were all world class batsmen.

They were proven at the international level, but I get your point, it is wrong to label them as expiring soon.

In my opinion, a youngster could have been tried here, perhaps Hasan rested for Tabish, and Dahani brought in for someone else.

And what's to say Fawad couldn't have been world class? The guy got rail-roaded his entire career for mediocre players/likes & dislikes. Same goes with Tabish a guy who put in effort and hardly even got considered for selection.

 

[hitthestump]

Contrary to what others think, this tactic that Mohammad Wasim has developed to select the players the public wants will not get Pakistan Cricket anywhere.

The likes of Fawad Alam, Nauman Ali, and Tabish Khan are at best solutions for the next three years. After that, we will see age-related decline catch up with them, putting us in virtually the same position we are right now.

This was the right time to bring Saud Shakeel into the team, or even someone like Salman Ali Agha to play as an all-rounder. Bringing Tabish right now won't solve any problems, in fact, as time goes on, we will have more problems to deal with. If Dahani was taken, just give him the debut at that point. What's the point of fiddling with everyone's expectations and going back and forth between youth and experience? Either say that you back experience over youth, or youth over experience, but don't go back on your word so many times.

It sounds harsh, I know, these players like Tabish thoroughly deserved a chance in their prime and were ignored. However, them performing well for a few series won't help our team in the future, and that is the sad truth.

Well we only need players to perform for the next 2 years if we consider the WTC cycles as the primary focus behind our test preparations. If Tabish, Nauman etc can survive until then we have a very good chance of reaching the final. We can then be more experimental in future editions.

 

[PakPremi]

I'm fine with Tabish given opportunity over an inexperience youngster. Tabish giving two years and contributing to wins is what we need. Test cricket matches are not place to train if you have not played much domestic. Saud could have been played instead of Sajid though as Pakistan do not need second full time spinner against Zimbabwe, Fawad and even Azhar Ali can chip in.

 

[Kaddy]

In my opinion, a youngster could have been tried here, perhaps Hasan rested for Tabish.

MashaAllah, You want a youngster and suggesting Tabish in place of Hasan Ali.

Hasan Ali is officially 10 years younger than Tabish Khan.

 

[Yasir_ch]

He cannot be bad if he been topping domestics year in year out with good averages and strike rates. Age does not matter as long as he is fit and good enough fielder

Rab da khauf Kar Yaar.He was topping the charts when pitches were green mambas.He is not a good selection in any way.Most fast bowlers are retired at 36 officially.He has nothing to offer.No need to waste a spot on this buzurg trundler.

 

[MenInG]

Former international cricketer and Zimbabwe’s current batting coach, Stuart Matsikenyeri believes his batsmen need to be mentally stronger and stay at the crease much longer to change their fortunes in the second and final Test against Pakistan on Friday.

Zimbabwe could not even last four sessions collectively in the first Test in Harare last week, managing 176 in 59.1 overs and 134 in 46.2 to lose by an innings inside three days.

Moreover, not a single Zimbabwe batsman crossed the 50-run mark, nor could anyone face 100 deliveries in an innings.

“There is no doubt we were poor as a batting group,” Matsikenyeri acknowledged. “It is something the batting group has taken responsibility for. We have been working hard to come back strongly in the second Test.

“We have the quality, we have the guys with the correct techniques. It is a matter of applying ourselves, being mentally stronger, which is an area we have identified wherein we lacked in the first Test.

“We want to polish up a bit with our shot selection, patience at the crease, and generally the ability to stay at the crease a lot longer. We have worked on defending our wickets a lot better than we did in the first Test.”

Matsikenyeri said that the current group of Zimbabwe players was fortunate to have the experience of Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams to rely upon in the middle. A couple of more years under these veterans would be invaluable learning for the youngsters, Matsikenyeri claimed.

The final Test against Pakistan will be Zimbabwe’s fourth in 2021 already, and they will be likely involved in a few more against Bangladesh and Afghanistan later this year. That is plenty for a side that has played just 30 Tests in the past decade.

“We won a Test in Abu Dhabi (against Afghanistan) recently. We are getting more opportunities now to play Test cricket against the better teams, and that is the only way we are going to find our feet.”

While Pakistan are overwhelming favourites to take the series 2-0, Matsikenyeri is confident that Zimbabwe can certainly mount a comeback.

"We came into this series looking to win one Test match at least. Our change room is hurting and we want to come back with a win.”

https://www.sportsadda.com/cricket/...test-series-batting-coach-stuart-matsikenyeri