Zimbabwe vs Pakistan – 1st T20I Betting Tips

Zimbabwe and Pakistan will lock horns in the opening game of the T20I series at Harare Cricket Club on Wednesday.

The home side has announced their 15-man squad for the three-match T20I series against Pakistan. Sean Williams will lead the side for the T20I series. The team management will assess the conditions and select their strongest combination for this opening fixture.

On the other hand, Pakistan will be looking to continue their winning momentum in this T20I series. After beating South Africa in ODI and T20I series, Babar Azam will be hoping that the visitors can maintain their standards with bat and ball against Zimbabwe.

In 14 T20Is played between the two teams, Pakistan have registered victories on all the occasions. On the other hand, Zimbabwe have failed to register a win against Pakistan in the T20 format.

Zimbabwe Form and Team News

Pacer Tanaka Chivanga, batsman Tadiwanashe Marumani, spinner Tapiwa Mufudza are three uncapped players included in the T20I squad for the three-match series. The T20I series also sees the return of experienced players like Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor for Zimbabwe.

In the batting department, the side will be relying heavily on the likes of Sean Williams, Brendan Taylor, and Craig Ervine to do the bulk of the scoring.

In recent times, Sean Williams has been the go-to man for Zimbabwe in the batting department. Left-hander will be hoping to produce a decent score in this opening contest.

Besides Williams, the likes of Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, and Ryan Burl will need to put in crucial scores for Zimbabwe to post a competitive total on the board.

Interesting, batting all-rounder Ryan Burl has consistently produced runs for the side in the later stages of the innings.

In the bowling department, the side will be depending on the likes of Donald Tiripano, Richard Ngarava, and Blessing Muzarabani to make crucial breakthroughs.

Pakistan Form and Team News:

The visitors have named their T20I squad for the three-match series against Zimbabwe. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan has been ruled out of the Zimbabwe tour due to injury. Opener Fakhar Zaman has been retained after doing exceedingly well in the three-match ODI series played in South Africa.

For this opening encounter, the onus will be on the in-form opening duo of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam to get the side off to excellent starts.

In the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa, Babar Azam smashed his maiden ton and also produced crucial half-centuries. Due to his outstanding performances, Pakistan managed to win their maiden T20I series in South Africa.

Muhammad Hafeez, Haider Ali, and Sarfaraz Ahmed will make up the middle-order for Pakistan for this game.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on Hasan Ali, Usman Qadir, and Haris Rauf to provide crucial breakthroughs.

Odds by Casumo

According to the Casumo sportsbook, Pakistan will be favorites to win the opening game of the T20I series to be played at Harare. For the opening fixture, Pakistan are placed at 1.11 odds, while Zimbabwe at 5.80.

Our Tipster’s Angle

Based on the current form, Pakistan will be outright favorites to win their game against Zimbabwe. With the likes of Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, and Fakhar Zaman consistently producing big scores in the format, Pakistan will be looking to put in a dominant batting performance in this opening encounter.

On the other hand, Zimbabwe will be looking to turn their fortunes around in the T20 format. The home side will need to raise their game in a bid to compete with Pakistan in this three-match series.

Therefore, the prediction is for Pakistan to register a comprehensive win over Zimbabwe in the first T20I.

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Tip 1: Mohammad Rizwan’s Brandmanesque run of form in the T20 format.

Since December 2020, Wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan has shown incredible consistency for the side at the top of the innings. In 10 matches played, Rizwan has accumulated 472 runs at an average of 67.42 with one century and four half-centuries to his name.

He will be looking to continue his tremendous form in this three-match series. Given his outstanding numbers in the T20 format this season, we are expecting Mohammad Rizwan to score 30 runs or more in this series [email protected].

Tip 2: Haris Rauf’s impressive numbers for Pakistan in the T20Is

Pacer Haris Rauf has been a consistent performer for Pakistan in the shorter format of the game. The 27-year old bowled well for the side in the recently concluded T20I series in South Africa. The right-arm quick will be looking to continue his decent form against Zimbabwe.

Since December 2020, Haris Rauf is Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in the T20I format. He has claimed 10 wickets in eight innings at an economy rate of 9.71. Given his ability to pick wickets with the new and old ball, we are expecting Haris Rauf to take one wicket or more against [email protected]

Conclusion

Expect Pakistan to beat Zimbabwe by a comprehensive margin and take a 1-0 lead in the T20I series.

1. Mohammad Rizwan to score 30 runs or more in this series [email protected]
2. Haris Rauf to take one wicket or more against [email protected]

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