Pakistan vs Zimbabwe Match Prediction & Betting Tips
Our Pakistan vs Zimbabwe betting tips are ready ahead of what should be a cracking game!
It may have been one of the greatest cricket games of recent times, but Pakistan were on the wrong end of the score - losing by four wickets on the final ball after dominating for most of the match. The first game for Zimbabwe was washed out in bizarre fashion against South Africa.
As a cricket betting site with thousands of betting opportunities, we endeavour to give you the best breakdown of all the big World Cup matches! We present the team news, important stats, and individual and collective form ahead of the clash, which gets underway from 4.30 pm IST on Thursday 27th October at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
Pakistan vs Zimbabwe Betting Tips - Pakistan To Win
Under Babar Azam’s stewardship, Pakistan are becoming one of those teams that promise much, but come unstuck in the moments that matter most. They must beat the Chevrons to ensure their World Cup campaign stays on the rails - and we think this time, they will deal with the pressure. We’re predicting the team in green to win as part of our Pakistan vs Zimbabwe betting tips.
You can back them at odds of 1.10, while Craig Ervine’s side are available to back at odds of 6.6. Remember, Pure Win is an industry-leading odds provider - we specialise in pre-match prices, and offer the best in the business!
We can’t recommend backing Pakistan at the price, but for more free cricket betting tips, with bigger returns, keep scrolling below.
Best Bet: Haris Rauf Top Pakitan Wicket Taker
The go-to man for Pakistan's death bowling unit, Haris Rauf bowled like a titan for the majority of his spell against India - right up until the final two balls from his spell, which were dispatched for back-to-back sixes. Before that, he had bowled 3.4 overs for 24 runs and taken two wickets.
He’s expected to be the star of the show on a quick and bouncy Optus Stadium pitch - we like the look of him to be top wicket-taker for Pakistan at odds of 3.25.
Can Pakistan Punch Back?
They were in control for the majority of the match against India - posting a defendable total of 159/8, before reducing India to 31/4 from 6.1 overs. Step forward Virat Kohli - the combative modern-day Indian legend orchestrated an incredible fightback - scoring 82 from 53 balls to steer his side home. There were a lot of questions, however, to be asked of spinner Mohammad Nawaz and his skipper Azam in the dying moments of the match.
Despite having 16 to defend and taking a wicket with the first ball of his over, Nawaz bowled a no ball-six and a wide. To make matters worse, the free hit rattled the stumps and the ball shot away for three runs. Pakistan argued the ball was dead, however umpires upheld the ruling and runs were awarded.
Pakistan’s Iftikhar Ahmed has admitted the pain remains for the team, after what was a brutal defeat to their closest rivals, but praised his skipper and the rest of his team mates for how they have dealt with it.
He told reporters in the lead up to the game: “The way Babar and the management supported the players, it was good. Babar and coaches told us that 'it was not our last game, everybody put in the effort. So our morale is high".
There are no new injuries for Pakistan to consider - though Fakhar Zaman is still doubtful to recover in time from his injury. They will likely name an unchanged XI.
Player to Watch: Mohammad Rizwan
It is rare that both Azam and Rizwan fail at the top of the order - we can’t see it happening again! Of the two, Rizwan has been in better form in 2022, scoring 825 runs from 19 innings at an average of above 50 and a strike rate of 124.62.
You can back him to top score for Pakistan at odds of 2.94. If you want go for a safer bet, he’s 1.89 to score 30+ runs!
Predicted Playing XI
Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh
Zimbabwe Wait To Make Their Mark
A bizarre match up with South Africa ended in a point apiece after a disappointing washout between the two.
At one point, it looked as though we wouldn’t see any cricket at all, but the rain relented enough for a nine-over thrash to begin. Zimbabwe blasted 79/5, with Wesley Madhevere making 35 runs from 18 balls.
In response, Quinton de Kock went into turbo charge mode - wholloping 23 from the first over before another break forced a further reduction in overs for South Africa to chase their target.The Proteas couldn’t beat the rain, however, and the match was abandoned after three overs.
Craig Ervine was philosophical about the South Africa game and is fully focused on the task in hand, telling the pre-match news conference: “The game against South Africa was a little bit of a bizarre evening.From a batting perspective, we were trying to work out how best to go about getting a decent score in nine overs. We knew we had to go fairly hard up front to get off to a good start. The weather looks good tomorrow evening though, so we can go back to our game plan knowing we have a full 20 overs to bat. Our batting innings will look more calm and composed.”
The Chevrons have no new injury concerns.
Player to Watch: Sikandar Raza
He’s been the star of the show so far in this tournament, batting aggressively and bowling cannily to be the main contributor to Zimbabwe’s successful tournament so far.
He’s almost certainly played his way into an IPL contract and is worth keeping an eye on !
Predicted Playing XI
Regis Chakabva(wk), Craig Ervine(c), Wesley Madhevere. Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Tendai Chatara, Richard Ngarava, and Blessing Muzarabani
Pakistan vs Zimbabwe Head-to-Head
The Pakistan vs Zimbabwe head to head record does not read prettily for the latter - Pakistan have won 16 of the 17 games these two have participated in.
The only win for the Chevrons over Pakistan was last year, defending 118/9 by taking seven wickets for 21 runs and bowling them out for 99.
Optus Stadium in Perth Could Prove a Bouncy Affair!
Sages in the cricketing sphere are predicting a bounce-a-thon at the Optus Stadium in Perth, conditions that are likely to suit the fast bowlers.
The good news is that the recent rain that has been plaguing the tournament appears to be abating. Clear skies are forecast in Perth ahead of the crucial clash!
Conclusion
Pakistan are still in their pitching - we think they will have enough to get the points against a talented but brittle Zimbabwe outfit.
