BULAWAY : Zimbabwe: Pakistan will look to maintain the winning momentum
in the limited-over series starting here on Thursday following their
seven-wicket triumph in the one-off Test between the two teams.The
form of their top order batsmen - Mohammad Hafeez (119), Azhar Ali
(75), Younis Khan (88) and Misbah-ul-Haq (66), who were amongst the runs
in the Test - will be crucial for Pakistan.And the way their
off-spinner Saeed Ajmal foxed the Zimbabwe batsmen, he could well be the
ace Pakistan hold over their opponents.It will also be an
opportunity for Pakistan to put some new faces through their paces. They
already gave Sohail Khan (right-arm medium fast), Junaid Khan (left-arm
medium fast) and Aizaz Cheema (right-arm-medium fast) opportunities to
make their mark in the Test.The 32-year-old Cheema was the pick of them, as he claimed eight wickets - four wickets in each innings - during his outing.The
three-match ODI series will be Zimbabwe's biggest test in limited-overs
cricket since the tri-series against India and Sri Lanka last year, and
they will want to use it as an opportunity to show their proficiency
against teams regarded as tougher opposition than the likes of
Bangladesh, Kenya and Ireland. Some have suggested that the
Queens Sports Club is jinxed for the local team. Brendan Taylor was
having none of the conspiracy theories though, and said the hosts only
have themselves to blame for the poor showing at the venue and he would
like them to change that record. Pakistan's returns in ODI
cricket have been solid since their showing at the World Cup, where they
reached the semifinals. They beat West Indies in a five-match series,
although they lost two dead-rubbers, and also beat Ireland in a
two-match series. They would be unhappy with anything less than a win
here. The visitors are keen to experiment with different
combinations and have made it clear they will allow everyone in the
squad to get a game. It is a way of testing their fringe talent, an
important goal for the team going forward. They will do so without the
services of coach Waqar Younis, who is on his last assignment, and will
want to end his tenure on a high note.Zimbabwe may introduce a
fresh face for the one-day series in middle-order batsman Regis
Chakabva. The No. 5 spot will still be contested between Forster Mutizwa
and Craig Ervine, neither of whom made a convincing enough case for
themselves in the Bangladesh series. Elton Chigumbura's knee injury
keeps him out of the squad and Malcolm Waller will likely be given the
allrounder's role. Prosper Utseya will be the second spinner to Ray
Price, while one of the quicks, most likely Brian Vitori, who was
unsuccessful on the Bulawayo pitch during the Test, will be rested. Pakistan
have four options for the openers' positions, with Hafeez the only one
guaranteed a place. There may also be a contest on for the No. 3
position with Asad Shafiq having shown an inability to convert starts
and Pakistan handing Azhar Ali an ODI debut in the second game against
Ireland. Given the conditions, Yasir Shah could come in as an additional
spinner, to partner Saeed Ajmal. The offspin of Mohammad Hafeez will
also come in handy. Junaid Khan will likely keep his place and Sohail
Tanvir should get a chance as well, after being left out of the Test
match. Pakistan (from): Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat/Rameez
Raja Jr, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Adnan
Akmal, Junaid Khan, Yasir Shah, Saeed Ajmal, Sohail Tanvir. Zimbabwe
(from): Brendan Taylor, Vusi Sibanda, Hamilton Masakadza, Tatenda
Taibu, Forster Mutizwa/Craig Ervine, Regis Chakabva, Malcolm Waller, 8
Prosper Utseya, Ray Price, Kyle Jarvis, Chris Mpofu.
