The upcoming T20I Tri-series in Pakistan will begin with the hosts, Pakistan, taking on a determined Zimbabwe side in the first match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The triangular tournament, which also features Sri Lanka, serves as a crucial platform for the teams to fine-tune their T20I strategies ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Pakistan will enter the series on a high, riding the momentum of recent white-ball series wins against South Africa and a clean sweep of Sri Lanka in the ODIs. Zimbabwe, under the leadership of the formidable Sikandar Raza, will be aiming to overcome their underdog status and start the tournament with a statement victory against a strong home side.

PAK vs ZIM, T20I Tri-series 2025: Match Details

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report

The pitch at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is well-known for being a batting-friendly surface in white-ball cricket, where batters can trust the bounce and capitalize on fast outfields. The conditions favor a high-scoring contest, with teams often aiming for scores in the 180-190 range. While pacers can get some swing with the new ball under lights, the surface tends to flatten out quickly. Dew is highly likely to be a factor in the second innings, making it difficult for bowlers to grip the ball, a phenomenon that strongly encourages the captain winning the toss to bowl first and chase the target.

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Pakistan vs Zimbabwe: Team dynamics and key players

Pakistan: The home side is led by Salman Ali Agha and features a strong batting line-up with Babar Azam anchoring the middle order and explosive openers like Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub aiming for quick starts. The pace attack remains the backbone of the team, with Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah spearheading the bowling unit, backed by all-rounders like Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf who provide crucial balance. Pakistan’s familiarity with home conditions and their depth make them formidable opponents in the opening fixture.

Zimbabwe: The visitors will rely heavily on the experienced leadership and all-round brilliance of captain Raza. With the absence of key pacer Blessing Muzarabani, the bowling attack, featuring Richard Ngarava and the spin of Ryan Burl, will need to punch above its weight to contain Pakistan’s star-studded batting. The return of veteran wicketkeeper-batter Brendan Taylor adds much-needed experience and stability to the batting order, but the young Zimbabwean side must deliver a collective, spirited performance to truly challenge the hosts.

PAK vs ZIM, T20I Tri-series 2025: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Pakistan wins the toss and bowls first
• Zimbabwe powerplay score: 45-55
• Zimbabwe total score: 145-165

Case 2:

• Zimbabwe wins the toss and bats first
• Zimbabwe powerplay score: 50-60
• Zimbabwe total score: 155-175

Match result: Pakistan will win the contest

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