Pakistan v Zimbabwe 1st T20I – 07/11/2020

Pakistan v Zimbabwe 1st T20I Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Team News, Predictions – 07/11/2020

Pakistan take on Zimbabwe in the first of three T20Is in Rawalpindi.

The home side wrapped up an ODI series success before this but did slip to defeat in the final clash.

Discover our free cricket betting tips for this fixture.

Pakistan v Zimbabwe 1st T20I – Match Preview

Zimbabwe will be buoyed by their surprise victory in the third and final ODI match that came before this.

Pakistan should have too much for them but another spirited showing could be on the cards.

Where: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan

When: Saturday, 7 November 2020

Start time: 15:00 (IST), 10:30 (GMT)

Pitch conditions: The pitch at Rawalpindi looks to benefit the team batting second. However, Zimbabwe were able to defend their total in the final ODI to take the match to a super-over. There is plenty in the pitch for the batsmen.

Weather conditions: It will be a dry and sunny day in Rawalpindi. There is no chance of rain and temperatures will drop slightly under 30 degrees.

Pakistan v Zimbabwe 1st T20I – Latest Odds

Pakistan are made very short-priced favourites to win this first T20I. They can be backed at 1.17 with bet365.

Zimbabwe are priced at 5.0 to land another upset.

Pakistan v Zimbabwe 1st T20I – Team News

Fakhar Zaman came in for the last match of the ODI series and could partner skipper Babar Azam at the top of the order.

It will be interesting to see if the home side stick with Haider Ali too. He wasn’t selected for the first ODI but did play the last two. Abid Ali is another that is pushing for another chance at the top.

Mohammad Hafeez is another that is likely to start unless Pakistan decide to look at some of their youth options. They include 20-year-old batsman Abdullah Shafique who impressed for Central Punjab in the recent National T20 Cup.

The Zimbabwe team could have a similar look about it to the side that featured in the preceding ODI series.

Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams have been in fine form with the bat but the form of their openers will concern captain Chamu Chibhabha.

Sikandar Raza is another who could be pushed higher up the order for these games.

Pakistan v Zimbabwe – Squads

Pakistan v Zimbabwe 1st T20I – Betting Tips and Prediction

Zimbabwe have shown they have the talent to cause Pakistan a few problems during this tour.

However, the hosts should be far too strong in this format and will have a point to prove after their disappointing defeat last time.

Given Pakistan’s short price, it is better to look to other markets to find value betting opportunities.

Hafeez is the Value Pick

Mohammad Hafeez didn’t feature in the T20Is but could come back into the frame for this one.

He was in top form in the shortest format when Pakistan took on England in August. He smashed an unbeaten 86 to help his team to victory in the final T20I of that tour.

He looks like a value selection in the top Pakistan batsman market.

While Babar will be popular at 3.0, picking Hafeez to score big looks better value at the price. He can be backed at 4.5 with bet365.

Taylor to Shine for Zimbabwe

Brendan Taylor has been in really good form with the bat in the ODI series between these two.

His half-century in the last match was outshone by Sean Williams’ brilliant ton, but before that he managed 112 in the first clash.

He will be key in these T20 matches and looks a good bet to be Zimbabwe’s top scorer here. He can be backed at 3.5 with 22Bet.

Back Babar over Zaman

While taking on Babar in the top batsman market is a good way to find value, backing him in a head-to-head battle looks a great bet.

22Bet are offering the price of 1.725 for him to outscore Fakhar Zaman in this one.

Babar showed he is in form with his 125 in the final ODI. He will now shift up to open and looks a great bet to do better than Zaman. He managed two last time before being trapped LBW by Richard Ngarava.

Make sure you see our round-up of best tips and predictions for this match.