BULAWAYO: While emphasising that the One-day International series against Zimbabwe is an ideal opportunity for youngsters to show their mettle, Pakistan captain Moha­m­mad Rizwan on Saturday said the forthcoming ODI battle in South Africa would shape the Green-shirts’ team composition for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy.

“After winning our last ODI series in Australia [with young players] we are pretty confident. Here in Zimbabwe also we have a number of youngsters in the team who will be tested. After this [Zimbabwe] series, we will be touring South Africa where we will try to give a final shape to the team for the Champions Trophy,” Rizwan told reporters during a media conference in Bulawayo where Pakistan will play the first ODI of a three-match series against Zimbabwe on Sunday.

Pakistan is scheduled to host the eight-nation Champions Trophy in February-March.

“In the absence of seasoned players [for the Zimbabwe series], there are still spots available for youngsters, and we hope to find some new faces for the Champions Trophy.

“We will try to repeat the [ODI] performance we gave in Australia here in Zimbabwe also. The Zimbabwe series is a good opportunity for [the] budding players to showcase their talent and become superstars of the future. However, filling the spaces of experienced will not be easy,” the wicket-keeper/batter added.

First-choice players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah have been rested by Pakistan for the Zimbabwe series. Youngsters including Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Saim Ayub and Tayyab

Tahir have been selected for national duty.

Answering a question, the Pakistan skipper said playing an away series remained a tough task.

“It’s always a challenge for a touring side as the home team have a relatively better knowledge of the pitch and surrounding conditions. However, as professional cricketers we must be ready for this. And we have several good young players who have fared well in domestic contests as well as for Pakistan Shaheens,” Rizwan stated.

After the ODI series which ends on Nov 28, Pakistan and Zimbabwe will play a three-game T20 series. Both the series will be staged at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo from Dec 1 to 5. Pakistan will be touring South Africa next month for a full series comprising two Tests, three ODIs and as many T20 Internationals.

Commenting on Aaqib Javed who has been given the dual role of national selector as well as interim white-ball head coach of the senior team recently, Rizwan said the former fast bowler’s experience and worth was a known fact.

“Aaqib bhai, who is a [1992] World Cup winner, has been coaching for a very long time. [After becoming coach] he told us to continue with our performance we gave in Australia ODI series [2-1 win] while conveying to us that he would only be fine-tuning whenever there is a requirement

Pakistan and Zimbabwe last faced each other in the 50-over format in November 2020 in Rawalpindi where Pakistan beat the visitors 2-1. Pakistan, on their last visit to Zimbabwe, whitewashed the Chevrons in a five-match ODI series in July 2018.

Squads:

ZIMBABWE: Craig Ervine (captain), Brian Bennett, Blessing Muzarabani, Brandon Mavuta, Clive Madande, Dion Myers, Faraz Akram, Joylord Gumbie, Richard Ngarava, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tashinga Musekiwa, Tinotenda Maposa, Trevor Gwandu.

PAKISTAN: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Shahnawaz Dahani, Saim Ayub, Tayyab Tahir.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2024