Pakistan vs Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe will draw confidence from their two white-ball wins against Pakistan in the last two years.

Perhaps that was to be expected, given the [nature of the injury](https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/t20-world-cup-2022-shaheen-afridi-completes-rehab-to-join-pakistan-team-in-brisbane-on-october-15-1339486)and ensuing rehab and the length of time he was out. But high-quality pace bowling has tested their batting resources beyond Raza twice now: [Alzarri Joseph in the first round](https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2022-23-1298134/west-indies-vs-zimbabwe-8th-match-first-round-group-b-1298142/full-scorecard)and [South Africa's attack in the wash-out.](https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2022-23-1298134/south-africa-vs-zimbabwe-18th-match-group-2-1298152/full-scorecard) We are trying to prepare for the next game and come back strong and remain in contention for this World Cup." The pitch has a green tinge and the new ball has swung. Zimbabwe will look at all this, however, and recognise a side that they have had the better of twice in white-ball cricket in the last two years. His height and the extra bounce on most Australian surfaces was always going to be a trump card for Zimbabwe to pull out at the tournament and it hasn't been disappointing. The forecast in Perth is for partly cloudy conditions but no rain. Pakistan, meanwhile, anguished at seeing two points slip away in that wild last over at the MCG [against India](https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2022-23-1298134/india-vs-pakistan-16th-match-group-2-1298150/full-scorecard). But they don't like changing unless they really have to, and it may not be that stage yet. And at the risk of stating the obvious, they are also still a pretty good T20I side. That has crystallised most vividly in the form of Sikandar Raza, arguably the [player of the tournament](https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2022-23-1298134/most-valuable-players)so far. They will also take some heart from their middle order managing a competitive total after a rare joint failure of Babar and Mohammad Rizwan.