Pakistan Eye on Quarterfinals Against Zimbabwe

Pallekele: Pakistan believe the heavy defeat to New Zealand will not derail their confidence going into Monday's clash with Zimbabwe where a win will ensure a World Cup quarterfinal spot.

After three wins in Group A, Pakistan's march towards the last eight was halted by a demoralising 110-run defeat against the Black Caps.

Pakistan's problems were compounded after Kamran Akmal struggled behind the stumps, letting Ross Taylor off twice before the New Zealand batsman went on to hit an unbeaten 131, leaving the 1992 champions in a fix over team selection.

Playing Kamran as specialist batsman and handing the gloves to his younger brother Umar was one of the options, but a finger injury to the makeshift keeper might prevent Pakistan from making the change.

Pakistan also still have a problem with their openers whose inability to put on a healthy partnership is straining the middle-order.

But despite the headaches, captain Shahid Afridi insists his team will not repeat the first round exits of the 2003 and 2007 World Cups.

Afridi backed Kamran to bounce back after his costly mistakes.


Pakistan are likely to rest express paceman Shoaib Akhtar, who went for 71 in his nine overs against New Zealand, and drop opener Ahmed Shahzad to bring in paceman Wahab Riaz and batsman Asad Shafiq.

Zimbabwe still have a slim chance of making the last eight despite having so far collected just two points.

But they need to beat Pakistan and Kenya, dramatically improve their run-rate and still hope Australia beat Pakistan.

Zimbabwe, chasing a mammoth 328-run target in their last match against Sri Lanka on Thursday, got off to a flying start of 116 before being bundled out for 188.

Chigumbura said his side will be wary of leg-spinner Afridi, who is the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 15.

"With Afridi we have to make sure we look to play him straight. We have noticed that he's had plenty of dismissals either bowled or lbw so we must make sure we don't look to go across the line too much," said Chigumbura.

Pakistan have beaten Zimbabwe in three of their previous four World Cup matches, with the 2003 match abandoned due to rain.

Teams from

Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (capt), Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal (wk), Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Ahmed Shahzad.

Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura (capt), Regis Chakabva, Charles Coventry, Graeme Cremer, Terry Duffin, Craig Ervine, Greg Lamb, Shingirai Masakadza, Christopher Mpofu, Tinashe Panyangara, Raymond Price, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Brendan Taylor (wk), Prosper Utseya, Vusimuzi Sibanda.

Pitch & condition
Teams will play on the third pitch of the stadium, which has no grass but has bounce. It will help spinners as the game progresses.

Stats & trivia

• Pakistan have won all their three World Cup matches against Zimbabwe fairly comfortably and will be hoping for a repeat on Monday to calm their nerves after their abysmal display against New Zealand.
• Pakistan were topping their group until they were blown away by a Ross Taylor inspired New Zealand. Shahid Afridi's bowling had been masking their fielding and wicketkeeping errors, their fragile top order batting and their problem with extras.
• For Pakistan, their middle order batsmen like Misbah-ul-Haq (192 runs) and Umar Akmal (167) have been scoring well.
• Brendan Taylor (140) is the leading Zimbabwean run scorer followed by Tatenda Taibu (117) and Craig Ervine (113).
• The biggest contributor to Pakistan's success so far has been Afridi's brilliant bowling (15 wickets at an economy rate of 3.36)

Head-to-head

• Total played 40
• Pakistan won 36
• Zimbabwe won 02
• Tied 01
• No results 01

Match facts
Monday March 14, 2011 (day/night)
Start time 14:30 local (09:00 GMT)