The much-awaited Pakistan T20I Tri-Series 2025 begins with Pakistan taking on Zimbabwe in the first match at the historic Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. With both teams keen to start the campaign on a strong note, fans can expect a competitive encounter featuring some of the finest talents from both sides.
| Info | Detail |
|---|---|
| Match | Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, 1st T20I |
| Date | 18 November 2025 |
| Time | 6:30 PM IST / 6:00 PM PKT |
| Venue | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| Live Streaming | Sports TV (YouTube Channel) |
| Weather | Cool and clear, around 12°C |
Predicted Playing XI
Pakistan Predicted XI
| No. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sahibzada Farhan (WK) |
| 2 | Saim Ayub |
| 3 | Babar Azam |
| 4 | Fakhar Zaman |
| 5 | Salman Agha (C) |
| 6 | Usman Khan (WK) |
| 7 | Mohammad Nawaz |
| 8 | Faheem Ashraf |
| 9 | Shaheen Afridi |
| 10 | Naseem Shah |
| 11 | Abrar Ahmed |
Zimbabwe Predicted XI
| No. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Bennett |
| 2 | Dion Myers |
| 3 | Brendan Taylor (WK) |
| 4 | Sikandar Raza (C) |
| 5 | Ryan Burl |
| 6 | Tashinga Musekiwa |
| 7 | Clive Madande |
| 8 | Brad Evans |
| 9 | Wellington Masakadza |
| 10 | Richard Ngarava |
| 11 | Graeme Cremer |
Head to Head T20I Records
| Format | Matches | Pakistan Wins | Zimbabwe Wins | Draws/NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 21 | 18 | 3 | 0 |
Pakistan has traditionally dominated Zimbabwe T20I formats, with a comfortable advantage in total wins.
Injury Updates
- Pakistan have a full squad available, with no major injury concerns heading into this match. There are reports that Shadab Khan is recovering from injury and might be available for later matches.
- Zimbabwe will miss Blessing Muzarabani due to a back injury. Newman Nyamhuri is expected to be the replacement in the squad, and experienced wicket-keeper Brendan Taylor returns to bolster their batting.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch & Weather Report
The Rawalpindi pitch is expected to be excellent for batting, especially in the first half of the innings. Over the last few years, the average first innings score in T20Is at the venue stands around 150-157, with a strong record favoring teams that chase. The chasing team has enjoyed great success recently. Pace bowlers have taken more wickets than spinners in the last few matches, but spinners have provided a better economy and average. Dew is likely to play a factor in the evening, so captains might prefer to bowl first.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Avg. 1st Inns Score | 153-157 |
| Win % Chasing | 80% |
| Pace Bowlers Wickets | 37 (last 5 T20s) |
| Spin Bowlers Wickets | 27 (last 5 T20s) |
Weather is forecasted to be cool and clear, with temperatures dropping to about 12°C as the evening progresses, making batting conditions ideal early on and potentially challenging later due to dew.
Key Players to Watch
- Sahibzada Farhan has been Pakistan’s top T20I run-scorer in 2025, combining aggressive batting and consistency at the top.
- Babar Azam is back in form, loves playing at Rawalpindi, and holds an excellent record both against Zimbabwe and in home conditions.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi leads Pakistan’s bowling attack with lethal pace and wicket-taking ability, especially in crunch moments.
- Sikandar Raza is Zimbabwe’s main all-rounder and key performer, capable of making an impact with both bat and ball.
- Brian Bennett is among the top T20I run-scorers in 2025 and will look to set a strong platform for Zimbabwe.
- Ryan Burl’s utility as a batting and bowling all-rounder could give Zimbabwe strategic flexibility, especially if spinners get assistance.
Live Streaming Information
The match will be live-streamed on Sports TV YouTube channel, making it easily accessible for fans in India and globally. TV and OTT platforms may not carry the series, so online streaming is the best option to catch every ball live.
Final Thoughts
Pakistan start as strong favorites, given home advantage, better recent form, and a more settled lineup. Zimbabwe, though underdogs, have the firepower with players like Sikandar Raza and Brian Bennett to cause an upset. Expect an exciting opener—batting friendly conditions, fresh squads, and clear weather should make for great entertainment.
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