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Zimbabwe and Pakistan will clash against each other in the second Test match at the Harare Sports Club from May 7-11, 2021.
Pakistan will look forward to seal the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe, as the two sides face off in the second Test, starting from May 7. The first match was won by Pakistan in a comprehensive manner, as the visitors thrashed the hosts by an innings and 116 runs. Earlier, Pakistan had also won the three-match T20I series by a score-line of 2-1.
The second Test will be played at the same venue in Harare. Hasan Ali produced a spectacular performance in the first Test match against Zimbabwe, as he picked up nine wickets in the match and was adjudged the player of the match. Shaheen Afridi was also impressive in the first innings as he picked up four wickets but went wicketless in the second innings.
Zimbabwe were bowled out for a score of just 176 runs in the first innings after an incredible bowling effort from the visitors. In reply, Pakistan smashed 426 runs in 133 overs. Fawad Alam was the standout batsman, having scored 140 runs. Imran Butt also played a useful knock at the top of the innings, scoring 91 runs. Blessing Muzarabani was the pick of the bowler for the hosts, as he picked up four wickets to keep Zimbabwe in the game.
In the second innings, Zimbabwe were bowled out for a score of just 134 runs, as Hasan Ali took a five-wicket haul. Nauman Ali was also among the wickets in the second innings, as he managed to pick up two wickets.
Key Players
Hasan Ali was the player of the match in the first Test. The Pakistani pacer picked up nine wickets against Zimbabwe, which includes a five-wicket haul in the second innings. He picked up the key wicket of the skipper, Brendan Taylor in the first innings and ran through the hosts’ middle-order. Hasan Ali also delivered with the bat in the first innings, scoring 30 runs from just 26 balls, which includes 3 fours and 2 sixes. He dismissed the opener, Kevin Kasuza, in both innings and picked up three quick wickets in the second innings.
Fawad Alam has been in great form ever since he was recalled to the Test squad. The left-hander was the top scorer in the first Test match, having scored a knock of 140 runs in the first innings. Alam batted patiently and scored 20 boundaries in his innings. The Pakistani batsman also scored a century against South Africa earlier this year, where he smashed 109 runs in the first Test against the Proteas.
Brendan Taylor, skipper of Zimbabwe is undoubtedly one of the most experienced batsman in the hosts’ lineup. However, he failed to score runs in the first Test, as he managed to score just 34 runs in his two innings. However, Taylor has scored over 2000 runs in Test match cricket at an average of 34.82. Moreover, he has six hundreds to his name in this format. A lot is expected from the Zimbabwe batsman, who will come in at number four for his team.
Blessing Muzarabani was the standout bowler for the hosts in the first Test match. The Zimbabwe pacer picked up four wickets in the first match and bowled over 30 overs. The pacer has just played four Test matches till date but has already been impressive so far. He picked up the key wickets of Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan in the first Test. He opens the bowling attack for his side and is expected to claim a few early wickets for his side.
Prediction
Pakistan are the favorites to win the second Test match and claim the two-match Test series. The hosts were no match for a strong Pakistan team in the first Test, as they were outplayed in all departments of the game. The Zimbabwe management may be tempted to make a few changes ahead of the second Test, which starts on Friday.
As for Pakistan, they are unlikely to tinker with their winning combination. Hasan Ali picked up his second consecutive player of the match award as he continues his fine form. The Pakistani speedster also delivered a great performance against South Africa in the second Test match, picking up 10 wickets, which includes two five-wicket hauls.
Babar Azam, skipper of Pakistan, was dismissed for a golden duck in the first Test, as he endured a rare failure. However, Azam will look to bounce back from his disappointment and score a huge knock in the second Test match. On the other hand, Mohammad Rizwan and Fawad Alam will hope to continue with their fine form and secure the series for the visitors.
