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HARARE: Having won the Test and swept one-day cricket series against Zimbabwe, Pakistan will view the Twenty20 series, with the first of two matches being played on Friday, as chance to have a bit of fun.
The tour has been a great success, particularly in the way inexperienced Pakistan fast bowlers have been blooded. The only member of touring side not to play a match so far is uncapped batsman Rameez Raja, so expect the 24-year-old to enjoy his first international showing in one or both of T20s at the Harare Sports Club.
Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq said there would be two or three changes to the side that took the field in the third One-day International on Wednesday as Pakistan look to find the right Twenty20 balance.
The tourists will look to field their strongest possible side in the first match, with experienced off-spinner Saeed Ajmal likely to return, before possibly giving a game to others in the second.
Zimbabwe desperately need someone to add quick runs down the order and finish the innings off with a bang. If Zimbabwe can free the shackles then they should push Pakistan close, but the tourists have so much more experience — internationally and domestically — in the shortest form of the game so another series sweep may be on the cards.
The second game is scheduled to be played on Sunday.
Teams (from): ZIMBABWE: Brendan Taylor (captain), Regis Chakabva, Vusi Sibanda, Chamu Chibhabha, Charles Coventry, Hamilton Masakadza, Tatenda Taibu, Malcolm Waller, Elton Chigumbura, Prosper Utseya, Ray Price, Kyle Jarvis, Chris Mpofu, Brian Vitori, Cephas Zhuwao.
PAKISTAN: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar, Imran Farhat, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Rameez Raja, Shoaib Malik, Adnan Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Yasir Shah, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan, Junaid Khan, Aizaz Cheema.
