Pakistan bat first against Zimbabwe

BULAWAYO: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat in first one day international against Zimbabwe. The team management has included Shoaib Malik in today's playing eleven.

Pakistan will look to maintain the winning momentum in the limited-over series starting here on Thursday following their seven-wicket triumph in the one-off Test between the two teams.

The form of their top order batsmen - Mohammad Hafeez (119), Azhar Ali (75), Younis Khan (88) and Misbah-ul-Haq (66), who were amongst the runs in the Test - will be crucial for Pakistan.

And the way their off-spinner Saeed Ajmal foxed the Zimbabwe batsmen, he could well be the ace Pakistan hold over their opponents.

The three-match ODI series will be Zimbabwe's biggest test in limited-overs cricket since the tri-series against India and Sri Lanka last year, and they will want to use it as an opportunity to show their proficiency against teams regarded as tougher opposition than the likes of Bangladesh, Kenya and Ireland.

Some have suggested that the Queens Sports Club is jinxed for the local team. Brendan Taylor was having none of the conspiracy theories though, and said the hosts only have themselves to blame for the poor showing at the venue and he would like them to change that record.

Pakistan's returns in ODI cricket have been solid since their showing at the World Cup, where they reached the semifinals. They beat West Indies in a five-match series, although they lost two dead-rubbers, and also beat Ireland in a two-match series. They would be unhappy with anything less than a win here.

Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (C), Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Adnan Akmal (WK), Sohail Tanvir, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan, Aizaz Cheema.

Zimbabwe: CJ Chibhabha, V Sibanda, H Masakadza, BRM Taylor (C), T Taibu†, MN Waller, GA Lamb, E Chigumbura, P Utseya, RW Price, CB Mpofu.