Zimbabwe v Pakistan 1st Test – 29/04/2021

Zimbabwe v Pakistan 1st Test Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Predictions – 29/04/2021

Zimbabwe gave Pakistan a scare in the preceding T20I series but face another tough challenge in the first of two Tests.

Explore our free Test match predictions for this fixture.

Zimbabwe v Pakistan 1st Test – Match Preview

Zimbabwe are a team on the up and drew their last Test series against Afghanistan. They will have also have taken confidence from their win in the 2nd T20I against this opposition.

Pakistan will be determined to get off to a positive start and know they can’t give the hosts anything to build on.

Where: Harare Sports Club, Harare

When: Thursday, 29 April 2021

Start time: 13:00 IST (07:30 GMT)

Pitch conditions: The previous T20I matches at this ground favoured pace-off bowling and this will likely be a similar story. The dry conditions could see the pitch break up even more as the clash develops.

Weather conditions: It will be warm and dry for most of this Test. There is a chance of rain during the third day but a result should be possible.

Zimbabwe v Pakistan 1st Test – Latest Odds

Pakistan are the favourites to win this match. They are priced at 1.256 with 1xBet.

Zimbabwe can be backed at 8.0 with the same betting site. The draw is available at 6.5.

Zimbabwe v Pakistan 1st Test – Team News

• Sean Williams – The talented batsman will have another big role to play for the home side. He is another that will welcome this return to the longest form of the game.
• Sikandar Raza – Raza did well against Afghanistan but misses this Test match to undergo treatment for a bone marrow infection. His middle-order hitting will be a big miss for the hosts.
• Wesley Madhevere – The Zimbabwe all-rounder did well in the T20I series but struggled in this format against Afghanistan. It will be interesting to see if he gets another chance.
• Shaheen Afridi – The Pakistan pacer didn’t play in the previous T20I games but could come back into the fold for these matches.
• Babar Azam – Babar will again lead Pakistan in this Test series and won’t want to give a battling Zimbabwe side anything to hold onto.
• Zahid Mahmood – The spinner wasn’t able to make the T20I series after a fear of flying delayed his travel. He performed well in the PSL and is now available for this series.

Zimbabwe v Pakistan 1st Test – Betting Tips and Predictions

Here are our free cricket tips and match predictions for this clash.

A Century to be Scored in the First Innings

The pitch in Harare might not be doing much for this Test until it starts to wear a little later on.

It means backing a ton to be scored in the first innings looks a great bet, especially if Pakistan dominates as their price suggests.

Babar Azam is in excellent form and could pile on more runs in this format. Having him coming in lower down the order is nice to have should the Pakistan openers fail.

A first-innings century to be scored is available at 1.83 with bet365.

Zimbabwe to Have Highest First Innings Opening Partnership

There is no doubt that this will be a tough Test for Zimbabwe, even on home soil.

However, there could be some value to be had in picking them to have the highest opening partnership in the first innings.

They will be full of confidence after pushing Pakistan all the way in the T20I series are look overpriced at 2.88 with bet365 and is much shorter with both Funbet and 22Bet.

Prince Masvaure and Kevin Kasuza were solid in the previous Test against Afghanistan.

They weren’t spectacular by any stretch of the imagination but it might not take much to win this bet.

Both Imran Butt and Abid Ali have been short of runs lately and endured a torrid time in South Africa prior to this.

Williams to Shine for Zimbabwe

Sean Williams has played a key role for Zimbabwe in the longest format of the game and he will have to do so again.

He struggled for runs in recent T20Is but a return to Test cricket can bring out the best in him.

The experienced campaigner has made a ton in each of his last three Test appearances. Two of those came in the first innings.

Backing him to be Zimbabwe’s top first innings batsman looks a solid selection at 4.0 with bet365.

Refer to our round-up of the best cricket betting tips for this match.