Pakistan and Zimbabwe are set to kick off their T20I Tri‑Nation Series on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The match begins at 6:00 PM local time, with both sides eager to make a strong start in a tournament that also features Sri Lanka.
Match Details
• Match: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, T20 International, Pakistan T20I Tri‑Nation Series 2025
• Date: Tuesday, 18 November 2025
• Time: 6:00 PM Pakistan local time
• Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
• Broadcast / Streaming: PCB‑approved channels and regional cricket streaming platforms
Team Overviews
Pakistan
Pakistan enters the series with a 15‑man T20I squad announced by the PCB, led by Salman Ali Agha. The squad blends experience and youth, with established names such as Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, and pace options like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Usman Khan and Sahibzada Farhan share wicket‑keeping duties, giving Pakistan flexibility in the batting order. With this balanced lineup, Pakistan is well-equipped to post competitive totals and chase effectively depending on match situations.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s 15‑member squad is led by Sikandar Raza, who continues as captain. Blessing Muzarabani is unavailable due to a back injury and has been replaced by Newman Nyamhuri. Other key players include Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, veteran Brendan Taylor, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Richard Ngarava, and Wellington Masakadza. Zimbabwe’s squad balances experience with emerging talent, but the loss of Muzarabani reduces their pace options.
Key Players to Watch
-
Pakistan:
-
Salman Ali Agha (c) — all-round contribution and leadership
-
Babar Azam — anchor or accelerator depending on innings
-
Shaheen Shah Afridi / Naseem Shah — strike early and bowl in death overs
-
-
Zimbabwe:
-
Sikandar Raza (c, all-rounder) — linchpin with bat and ball
-
Brian Bennett / Tadiwanashe Marumani — provide stability and quick starts
-
Richard Ngarava — key among seamers in Muzarabani’s absence
-
Probable Playing XIs
Pakistan (probable XI)
Salman Ali Agha (c), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Sahibzada Farhan, Faheem Ashraf, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah
Zimbabwe (probable XI)
Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tony Munyonga, Brendan Taylor, Graeme Cremer, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Wellington Masakadza
Pitch Report & Conditions
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium pitch is expected to favor seam bowling early, with bounce and swing assisting pacers under lights. As the match progresses, the surface may slow slightly, helping spinners later in the innings. Winning the toss and choosing to field first could be advantageous, exploiting seam early and using spin in the second half of the innings.
Probable Scenarios & Match Dynamics
-
Seamers dominate early: Pakistan’s pace attack can put Zimbabwe under pressure in the powerplay, possibly restricting them to a modest total.
-
Zimbabwe rebuild through Raza and Bennett: Raza’s all-round skills and contributions from Bennett or Marumani could stabilize Zimbabwe’s innings.
-
Spin advantage later: As the pitch slows, spinners could play a decisive role in controlling Zimbabwe’s late overs or defending a total.
-
Chase or defend tactics: Pakistan can post a strong total or chase smartly, using their batting depth and bowling variety to control the game.
Match Prediction & Likely Outcome
-
Toss Winner (predicted): Pakistan
-
Match Winner: Pakistan
-
Top Batter (Pakistan): Babar Azam
-
Top Bowler (Pakistan): Shaheen Shah Afridi
-
Top Batter (Zimbabwe): Sikandar Raza
-
Top Bowler (Zimbabwe): Richard Ngarava
-
Team Score Batting First: Pakistan 150–170, Zimbabwe 130–140
-
Player of the Match (predicted): Babar Azam
