PAK vs ZIM 2024 Series.
Overall Result:Zimbabwe hosted Pakistan for an ODI and T20 3 match series which concluded on 5th December 2024 with Zimbabwe clinching last T20 game by 2 wickets and 1 ball remaining. Pakistan won both ODI and T20 series by 2-1, but one would think that they should have won the series by 3-0. There were few really good and encouraging performances but overall Pakistan fans have bittersweet feelings about the results.
Positives for Pakistan:
Saim Ayub: Another good score by Saim Ayub in second ODI scoring 113 of 62 balls speaks of the talent that young batter has. How he builds his white ball career from here on is still a work in progress and coming series against South Africa will be a real test for him.
Kamran Ghulam: Kamran scored his first ODI century,103 of 99 balls batting at number 3 in 3rd ODI. He has looked promising so far. Not to forget his excellent test 100 against ENG in home series not long ago. Kamran can look to build himself from here and it can take some pressure off the middle order batsmen which has been a problem for Pakistan.
Sufiyan Muqeem: Sufiyan is 25 year old left arm spinner who had a good start of his white ball career especially T20 internationals. He has played 8 T20 internationals so far claiming 15 wickets including an impressive figure of 5/3 in second T20 against Zimbabwe. The left armer seems to have good wrong one that has troubled batsmen. SA series will be challenge for him if he gets to play in T20 games.
Negatives For Pakistan: The biggest concern for me was not only the inclusion of Salman Ali Agha in T20 team but making him Captain of a young side. Salman failed to score in ODIs as well as in T20s and it seems that he is feeling the pressure. It probably is a wake up call for PCB selectors, and Agha himself to focus on test cricket where he has been performing really well at number 6 for Pakistan.
