Pakistan to face Zimbabwe in second ODI today

Pakistan will play the second ODI of the three-match series against Zimbabwe today, with the hosts leading 1-0.  

Pakistan has announced its playing XI for the must-win match, making two changes to the lineup. Middle-order batter Tayyab Tahir replaces Haseebullah Khan, while leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed comes in for Mohammad Hasnain. Both Tayyab and Abrar will make their ODI debuts in this game.  

The squad also includes Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Niazi, Aamer Jamal, Haris Rauf, Faisal Akram, and Abrar Ahmed.  

In the first match of the series, Pakistan suffered a surprising 80-run defeat under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. Pakistan had won the toss and opted to bowl first. Zimbabwe managed to score 205 runs in 40.2 overs before rain disrupted the match.  

Pakistan, chasing the target, was struggling at 60/6 when the rain forced an early end, handing Zimbabwe the win.  

This was Pakistan's first ODI under interim white-ball head coach Aaqib Javed, who has been assigned the role until the ICC Champions Trophy.  

After the loss, captain Mohammad Rizwan acknowledged Zimbabwe's strong performance, particularly Sikandar Raza. "It wasn’t a good day for us. Credit goes to Zimbabwe, especially Sikandar Raza, for keeping us under pressure. We couldn’t recover. Their bowlers, Muzarabani and Ngarava, are very experienced," Rizwan said.  

With Zimbabwe needing just one more win to secure the series, Pakistan must win both remaining matches to claim victory. All eyes will be on the debutants Tayyab Tahir and Abrar Ahmed as Pakistan looks to bounce back in today’s crucial game.