HARARE: Pakistan Shaheens carried out a robust training session ahead of their six-match one-day series against Zimbabwe A, scheduled to commence on May 17 here.
After a dominant performance in the two four-day matches, where Pakistan Shaheens emerged victorious with a convincing 2-0 win over Zimbabwe A, they are now geared up for the limited-overs action as they trained hard at the Harare Sports Club here.
The six 50-over matches will be played at the same venue from 17 May to 27 May.
The action-filled series will be telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and be simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.
Catch Pakistan's young stars including Saim Ayub, Shahnawaz Dahani, Hussain Talat, and Qasim Akram live on #ASportsHD and #ARYZap!@TheRealPCB Shaheens take on @ZimCricketv in six One Day matches from 17 May – 27 May at 12:15 PM (PST). pic.twitter.com/5d863d12FQ
— ASports (@asportstvpk) May 16, 2023
The 16-member Shaheens squad includes eight players who have already represented Pakistan in international cricket.
Besides the eight international players, Shaheens will be hoping left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz to replicate his red-ball form in the white-ball series. He took 15 wickets across the two four-day matches, including 11 wickets in the first game at the Kwekwe Sports Club in Kwekwe.
In the batting department, Pakistan Shaheens will be banking on Haseebullah, Mohammad Huraira and Omair Bin Yousuf – all of whom struck centuries in the two four-dayers – to take their form with the bat in the limited-overs series.
Additionally, with the inclusion of Saim Ayub, who recently represented Pakistan in eight T20Is, Pakistan Shaheens have added more depth to their batting lineup. Saim’s presence is expected to bolster their batting order and provide stability in critical junctures of the game.
On the eve of the series, Saim Ayub said: “Representing the Pakistan men’s team in T20Is has been an incredible experience, and I’m thrilled to bring that valuable experience to the Shaheens for this 50-over series against Zimbabwe.
“I’m looking forward to the series with great anticipation. We have performed well in the four-day matches, but this is a new series and we respect Zimbabwe as opponents.
“The preparations at the Harare Sports Club have been intense and focused. We have been working hard on all aspects of our game, from batting to bowling and fielding. The coaching staff has left no stone unturned to make sure we are well-prepared for the series.”
Pakistan Shaheens: Imran Butt (captain) (Lahore), Hussain Talat (vice-captain) (Lahore), Aamir Jamal (Islamabad), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (Quetta), Haseebullah (Quetta), Kamran Ghulam (Peshawar), Mehran Mumtaz (Rawalpindi), Mir Hamza (Karachi), Mohammad Ali (Sialkot), Mohammad Huraira (Sialkot), Mubasir Khan (Islamabad), Omair Bin Yousuf (Karachi), Qasim Akram (Lahore), Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper) (Islamabad), Saim Ayub (Karachi) and Shahnawaz Dahani (Larkana).
Player Support Personnel – Aizaz Cheema (coach), Imran Abbas (manager), Abdul Rehman (team consultant), Saboor Ahmed (trainer), Muhammad Asad (physiotherapist) and Faisal Rai (team analyst).
Tour Schedule
17 May – 1st 50-over match; HSC, Harare
19 May – 2nd 50-over match; HSC, Harare
21 May – 3rd 50-over match; HSC, Harare
23 May – 4th 50-over match; HSC, Harare
25 May – 5th 50-over match; HSC, Harare
27 May – 6th 50-over match; HSC, Harare