Zimbabwean cricket team in Pakistan in 2020–21#1st ODI

In August 2020, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that the tour was still going ahead as planned, and were preparing a bio-secure environment, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/zimbabwe-all-set-to-tour-pakistan-in-october-november-schedule-yet-to-be-decided-2811687.html |title=Zimbabwe All Set to Tour Pakistan in October-November, Schedule Yet to be Decided |access-date=29 August 2020 |work=Network18 Media and Investments Ltd}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29793266/cricket-returns-pakistan-covid-19-situation-improves |title=Cricket returns to Pakistan as Covid-19 situation improves |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=2 September 2020}} Initially, the PCB were considering to host both the T20I and ODI series at a single venue in Lahore.{{cite web|url=https://battingwithbimal.com/2020/09/06/zimbabwe-set-to-tour-pakistan-all-matches-likely-to-be-held-in-lahore/ |title=Zimbabwe set to tour Pakistan, all matches likely to be held in Lahore |work=Batting with bimal |access-date=6 September 2020}} However, in September 2020, it was announced that the T20I and ODI series would be held in Rawalpindi and Multan respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/6389-pakistan-vs-zimbabwe-series-to-be-split-between-multan-rawalpindi |title=Pakistan vs Zimbabwe series to be split between Multan, Rawalpindi |work=Geo Super |access-date=12 September 2020}} On 9 October 2020, the PCB moved the matches from Multan to Lahore, following a disagreement with the government in the city over finances.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30078681/lahore-replace-multan-partial-host-zimbabwe-tour |title=Lahore to replace Multan as partial host for Zimbabwe tour |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=9 October 2020}} Multan last hosted international matches in April 2008, when Bangladesh played at the venue.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29951734/pak-vs-zim-multan,-rawalpindi-host-pakistan-white-ball-series-zimbabwe |title=Multan, Rawalpindi to host Pakistan's white-ball series against Zimbabwe |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=23 September 2020}}

On 11 October 2020, the PCB confirmed the itinerary for the series, with the ODI matches taking place in Rawalpindi, and the T20I matches taking place in Lahore.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/pcb-announces-revised-itinerary-for-zimbabwe-series.html |title= PCB announces revised itinerary for Zimbabwe series |work=Pakistan Cricket Board |access-date=11 October 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1859970 |title=PCB changes venues for white-ball series against Zimbabwe |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=11 October 2020}} Smog had been forecast in Lahore during November,{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30090039/pakistan-vs-zimbabwe-2020-rawalpindi-host-odis,-lahore-gets-t20is |title=Rawalpindi to host Zimbabwe ODIs, Lahore gets T20Is |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=11 October 2020}} with the PCB monitoring the situation.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/match-timings-for-zimbabwe-fixtures-announced.html |title= Match timings for Zimbabwe fixtures announced |work=Pakistan Cricket Board |access-date=13 October 2020}} On 23 October 2020, the PCB made a further change to the tour, moving all the T20I matches from Lahore to Rawalpindi, because of the concerns about the smog.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/lahore-matches-moved-to-rawalpindi-and-karachi-due-to-smog.html |title=Lahore matches moved to Rawalpindi and Karachi due to smog |work=Pakistan Cricket Board |access-date=23 October 2020}}

In September 2020, Zimbabwe Cricket stated that the official confirmation of travelling to Pakistan was imminent.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29890785/official-confirmation-pakistan-tour-imminent-zimbabwe-cricket-chairman-tavengwa-mukuhlani |title=Official confirmation of Pakistan tour 'imminent' - ZC chairman Mukuhlani |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=15 September 2020}} Tavengwa Mukuhlani, chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket, said he was "hopeful" that the tour would go ahead.{{cite web|url=https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/6429-hopeful-for-zimbabwe-to-tour-pakistan-says-zimbabwe-cricket-chief |title=Hopeful for Zimbabwe to tour Pakistan, says Zimbabwe Cricket chief |work=Geo TV |access-date=20 September 2020}} On 20 September 2020, Zimbabwe named a preliminary squad of 25 players to begin training ahead of the tour.{{cite web |url=https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/09/20/list-chevrons-provisional-squad-for-the-pakistani-tour/ |title=Chevron’s Provisional Squad For The Pakistani Tour |work=Pindula News |access-date=20 September 2020}} On 23 September 2020, Zimbabwe Cricket received government permission to travel to Pakistan.{{cite web |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/zimbabwe-pakistan-tour-government-approval-t20i-odi/article32676112.ece |title=Zimbabwe gets government approval for Pakistan tour |website=sportstar.thehindu.com |access-date=23 September 2020}} On 19 October 2020, the Zimbabwe team departed from the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport,{{cite web|url=https://www.cricket365.com/latest-news/zimbabwe-squad-jets-out-for-their-first-tour-since-lockdown/ |title=Zimbabwe squad jets out for their first tour since lockdown |work=Cricket365 |access-date=20 October 2020}} arriving in Pakistan early the next day.{{cite web|url=https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/zimbabwe/zimbabwe_pakistan_head_coach_lalchand_rajput.html |title=Zimbabwe arrive in Pakistan but head coach Lalchand Rajput doesn't travel |work=The Cricketer |access-date=20 October 2020}} The Zimbabwean head coach Lalchand Rajput did not travel with the team, so their bowling coach Douglas Hondo was put in charge of the team.{{cite news| url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30152620/zimbabwe-land-pakistan-head-coach-lalchand-rajput| title= Zimbabwe land in Pakistan, but without head coach Lalchand Rajput| work=ESPNcricinfo| date=20 October 2020| access-date=20 October 2020}} The PCB also confirmed the match officials for the tour on the same day.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/match-officials-for-zimbabwe-series-confirmed.html |title=Match officials for Zimbabwe series confirmed |work=Pakistan Cricket Board |access-date=20 October 2020}}

On 19 October 2020, Misbah-ul-Haq, head coach and chief selector of the Pakistan team, named a twenty-two man squad of "probables" for the series.{{cite web|url=https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/6818-pak-v-zim-misbah-ul-haq-to-announce-23-man-squad-at-presser-in-lahore |title=Pak v Zim: First call-up for Abdullah Shafique but Sarfaraz left out as Misbah names 22-man squad |work=Geo Super |access-date=19 October 2020}} The squad travelled to Lahore to begin COVID-19 testing and training ahead of the ODI matches,{{cite web|url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/abdullah-shafiq-in-pakistan-probables-for-zimbabwe-series.html |title=Abdullah Shafiq in Pakistan probables for Zimbabwe series |work=Pakistan Cricket Board |access-date=19 October 2020}} with the squads for each format being named later.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30145879/zimbabwe-tour-pakistan-2020-21-uncapped-abdullah-shafique-pakistan-limited-overs-squad-zimbabwe-series |title=Amir dropped, Uncapped Shafique in Pakistan squad for Zimbabwe series |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=19 October 2020}} Pakistan's vice-captain, Shadab Khan, was ruled out of the ODI series, after suffering an injury during a warm-up game.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/update-on-shadab-khan-.html |title=Update on Shadab Khan |work=Pakistan Cricket Board |access-date=28 October 2020}} Haider Ali was added to Pakistan's squad for the second ODI.{{cite web|url=https://cricketaddictor.com/cricket/pakistan-15-man-squad-second-odi-zimbabwe/ |title=Pakistan Announce 15-Man Squad For The Second ODI Against Zimbabwe |work=Cricket Addictor |access-date=31 October 2020}} He replaced Haris Sohail, who suffered an injury during the first ODI match.{{cite web|url=https://www.samaa.tv/sports/2020/10/pakistan-haider-ali-squad-second-zimbabwe-odi/ |title=Pakistan include Haider Ali in squad for second Zimbabwe ODI |work=Samaa |access-date=31 October 2020}} For the third and final ODI, Abdullah Shafique, Zafar Gohar and Mohammad Hasnain were added to the squad, replacing Imad Wasim, Abid Ali and Haris Rauf.{{cite web|url=https://www.samaa.tv/sports/2020/11/pakistan-make-three-changes-in-squad-for-third-zimbabwe-odi/ |title=Pakistan make three changes in squad for third Zimbabwe ODI |work=Samaa |access-date=2 November 2020}} However, on the morning of the third ODI, Haris Rauf was re-added to the team, after Faheem Ashraf was suffering from food poisoning.{{cite web|url=https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/7015-pak-vs-zim-faheem-ashraf-to-be-replaced-by-haris-rauf-in-third-odi-against-zimbabwe |title='Unwell' Faheem Ashraf replaced by Haris Rauf in 3rd ODI squad |work=Geo Super |access-date=3 November 2020}}

Ahead of the T20I series, Abid Ali, Haris Sohail and Imam-ul-Haq were released from Pakistan's squad.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/abid-ali-imam-ul-haq-and-haris-sohail-released-from-squad.html |title=Abid Ali, Imam-ul-Haq and Haris Sohail released from squad |work=Pakistan Cricket Board |access-date=4 November 2020}} Shadab Khan was also unavailable for selection for Pakistan's squad for the T20Is, due to his earlier injury which ruled him out of the ODI matches.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/shadab-khan-injury-update.html |title= Shadab Khan Injury Update |work=Pakistan Cricket Board |access-date=5 November 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/7087-pak-vs-zim-shadab-khan-to-play-in-3rd-t20i-in-rawalpindi-report |title= Shadab Khan to play in 3rd T20I against Zimbabwe: report |work=Geo Super |access-date=9 November 2020}}

{{Single-innings cricket match

| date = 30 October 2020

| time = 12:00

| daynight = Yes

| team1 = {{cr-rt|PAK}}

| team2 = {{cr|ZIM}}

| score1 = 281/8 (50 overs)

| runs1 = Haris Sohail 71 (82)

| wickets1 = Tendai Chisoro 2/31 (5 overs)

| score2 = 255 (49.4 overs)

| runs2 = Brendan Taylor 112 (117)

| wickets2 = Shaheen Afridi 5/49 (10 overs)

| result = Pakistan won by 26 runs

| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1233461.html Scorecard]

| venue = Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Ahsan Raza (Pak)

| motm = Brendan Taylor (Zim)

| toss = Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat.

| rain =

| notes = Haris Rauf (Pak) made his ODI debut.

• Babar Azam captained Pakistan for the first time in ODIs.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30217276/babar-azam-afford-take-anything-granted-zimbabwe |title=Babar Azam: Can't afford to take anything for granted against Zimbabwe |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=30 October 2020}}
• Brendan Taylor scored his 17th century in international cricket to become the batsman with the most centuries for Zimbabwe across all three formats.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1880854 |title=Shaheen, Wahab fight back to sink Zimbabwe |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=30 October 2020}}
• World Cup Super League points: Pakistan 10, Zimbabwe 0.

}}

{{Single-innings cricket match

| date = 1 November 2020

| time = 12:00

| daynight = Yes

| team1 = {{cr-rt|ZIM}}

| team2 = {{cr|PAK}}

| score1 = 206 (45.1 overs)

| runs1 = Sean Williams 75 (70)

| wickets1 = Iftikhar Ahmed 5/40 (10 overs)

| score2 = 208/4 (35.2 overs)

| runs2 = Babar Azam 77* (74)

| wickets2 = Tendai Chisoro 2/49 (10 overs)

| result = Pakistan won by 6 wickets

| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1233462.html Scorecard]

| venue = Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Asif Yaqoob (Pak)

| motm = Iftikhar Ahmed (Pak)

| toss = Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat.

| rain =

| notes = Haider Ali and Muhammad Musa (Pak) both made their ODI debuts.

• Iftikhar Ahmed (Pak) took his first five-wicket haul in ODIs.{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201101-five-wicket-iftikhar-helps-pakistan-bowl-zimbabwe-for-206 |title=Five-wicket Iftikhar helps Pakistan bowl Zimbabwe for 206 |work=France24 |access-date=1 November 2020}}
• World Cup Super League points: Pakistan 10, Zimbabwe 0.

}}

{{Single-innings cricket match

| date = 3 November 2020

| time = 12:00

| daynight = Yes

| team1 = {{cr-rt|ZIM}}

| team2 = {{cr|PAK}}

| score1 = 278/6 (50 overs)

| runs1 = Sean Williams 118* (135)

| wickets1 = Mohammad Hasnain 5/26 (10 overs)

| score2 = 278/9 (50 overs)

| runs2 = Babar Azam 125 (125)

| wickets2 = Blessing Muzarabani 5/49 (10 overs)

| result = Match tied
(Zimbabwe won the Super Over)

| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1233463.html Scorecard]

| venue = Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Rashid Riaz (Pak)

| motm = Blessing Muzarabani (Zim)

| toss = Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat.

| rain =

| notes = Khushdil Shah (Pak) made his ODI debut.

• Mohammad Hasnain (Pak) took his first five-wicket haul in ODIs.{{cite web|url=https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/7020-pak-vs-zim-watch-3-wicket-salvo-of-mohammad-hasnain |title=Watch Mohammad Hasnain's first five-wicket haul of ODI career |work=Geo Super |access-date=3 November 2020}}
• Blessing Muzarabani (Zim) took his first five-wicket haul in ODIs.{{cite web|url=https://www.crictracker.com/twitter-reactions-zimbabwe-stun-pakistan-in-a-thrilling-super-over-courtesy-blessing-muzarabani/ |title=Twitter Reactions: Zimbabwe stun Pakistan in a thrilling Super Over courtesy Blessing Muzarabani |work=CricTracker |access-date=3 November 2020}}
• World Cup Super League points: Zimbabwe 10, Pakistan 0.

}}

{{Single-innings cricket match

| date = 7 November 2020

| time = 15:30

| daynight = Yes

| team1 = {{cr-rt|ZIM}}

| team2 = {{cr|PAK}}

| score1 = 156/6 (20 overs)

| runs1 = Wesley Madhevere 70* (48)

| wickets1 = Haris Rauf 2/25 (4 overs)

| score2 = 157/4 (18.5 overs)

| runs2 = Babar Azam 82 (55)

| wickets2 = Blessing Muzarabani 2/26 (3.5 overs)

| result = Pakistan won by 6 wickets

| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1233464.html Scorecard]

| venue = Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Asif Yaqoob (Pak)

| motm = Babar Azam (Pak)

| toss = Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat.

| rain =

| notes = Usman Qadir (Pak) made his T20I debut.

• This was the first T20I match to be played at this venue.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/19919/preview/1233464/pakistan-vs-zimbabwe-1st-t20i-pakistan-v-zimbabwe-2020-21 |title=Foregone conclusion? Anything but, as Pakistan and Zimbabwe switch focus to T20Is |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=7 November 2020}}

}}

{{Single-innings cricket match

| date = 8 November 2020

| time = 15:30

| daynight = Yes

| team1 = {{cr-rt|ZIM}}

| team2 = {{cr|PAK}}

| score1 = 134/7 (20 overs)

| runs1 = Ryan Burl 32* (22)

| wickets1 = Usman Qadir 3/23 (4 overs)

| score2 = 137/2 (15.1 overs)

| runs2 = Haider Ali 66* (43)

| wickets2 = Blessing Muzarabani 2/33 (4 overs)

| result = Pakistan won by 8 wickets

| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1233465.html Scorecard]

| venue = Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

| umpires = Ahsan Raza (Pak) and Rashid Riaz (Pak)

| motm = Haider Ali (Pak)

| toss = Pakistan won the toss and elected to field.

| rain =

| notes =

}}

{{Single-innings cricket match

| date = 10 November 2020

| time = 15:30

| daynight = Yes

| team1 = {{cr-rt|ZIM}}

| team2 = {{cr|PAK}}

| score1 = 129/9 (20 overs)

| runs1 = Chamu Chibhabha 31 (28)

| wickets1 = Usman Qadir 4/13 (4 overs)

| score2 = 130/2 (15.2 overs)

| runs2 = Abdullah Shafique 41* (33)

| wickets2 = Wellington Masakadza 1/19 (2 overs)

| result = Pakistan won by 8 wickets

| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1233466.html Scorecard]

| venue = Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Ahsan Raza (Pak)

| motm = Usman Qadir (Pak)

| toss = Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat.

| rain =

| notes = Abdullah Shafique (Pak), Faraz Akram and Milton Shumba (Zim) all made their T20I debuts.

}}

{{reflist|group=n}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/series/1233458.html Series home at ESPN Cricinfo]

{{International cricket tours of Pakistan}}

{{International cricket in 2020–21}}

{{2020–23 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zimbabwean cricket team in Pakistan in 2020-21}}

Category:2020 in Pakistani cricket

Category:2020 in Zimbabwean cricket

Category:International cricket competitions in 2020–21

Category:Zimbabwean cricket tours of Pakistan