Pakistan v Zimbabwe World Cup Match Prediction & Betting Tips

Team Pakistan is having an awful tournament since they lost their opening games against their arch rivals, India, and another unpredictable side, West Indies. The Green Shirts surrendered their first match vs. Blue Shirts by 76 runs and the Windies humiliated them by a bigger margin of 150 runs. Zimbabwe was defeated by their neighbours South Africa by 62 runs, grabbed the next one against United Arab Emirates with a difference of four wickets and got a stick from West Indies by 73. Pakistan is placed at the bottom of Group B without earning any point while Zimbabwe is on the fifth position with two points from three games. The forthcoming match is vital for both teams and will set the direction towards the Quarter-finals.

Players to watch

None of the Pakistani batsmen has accumulated hundred runs so far and in fact they are struggling to find their form. They must come out of the defensive tactics, play five bowlers and go in the remaining games with a regular wicket keeper. Misbah-ul-Haq, Ahmed Shehzad, Younis Khan, Nasir Jamshed, Sohaib Maqsood, Haris Sohail and Umar Akmal are batting below par but can hit back on their day. Sohail Khan is their most successful bowler with six wickets while Mohammad Irfan, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Haris Sohail and Yasir Shah are required to bowl with confidence.

Sean Williams along with Craig Ervine were the top scorers for Zimbabwe against West Indies, scored 76 and 52 runs respectively. Hamilton Masakadza, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor, Regis Chakabva can create problems for the rival bowlers. Stuart Matsikenyeri and Elton Chigumbura are class all-rounders and their balanced bowling attack comprises Tinashe Panyangara, Tendai Chatara, Tafadzwa Kamungozi and Williams.

Time & Venue

Sunday, March 1, 2015 @ 03:30 GMT, 11:00 local at Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, Brisbane.

Weather

Partly cloudy with the temperatures around 20-31ᵒC.

Toss

Pakistan will prefer to bat and Zimbabwe will opt the opposite direction after winning the toss.

The Pitch

The wicket proved equally good for the batsmen and bowlers in the 16^th match of the event played between Ireland and United Arab Emirates.

Teams

Pakistan – (From) Misbah-ul-Haq (C), Ahmed Shehzad, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Rahat Ali, Ehsan Adil, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Irfan, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah.

Zimbabwe – Elton Chigumbura (C), Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakbva, Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tinashe Panyangara, Tendai Chatara, Tafadzwa Kamungozi.

Prediction

The Green Shirts are capable of making a comeback and can register their first win.