What Pakistan, Australia and Zimbabwe stand to gain from the upcoming T20I tri-series

The tri-nation T20I series involving Australia, Pakistan and Zimbabwe will be the fourth such tournament to be played this year. It goes to show the fans’ fondness towards this thriving format. In an attempt to globalize the game, even the ICC backs the idea of granting greater voice to T20Is as demonstrated in the newly released Future Tours Programme.

There is a lot of anticipation surrounding this triangular series. It comprises of three extremely varied sides pursuing a diversified set of goals, that may or may not decide their fate in upcoming endeavours. So what does it hold for each team, their fans and their future cricketing ventures?

Pakistan

Marching into the tournament as the No.1 T20I side in the world, Pakistan go in as favourites to clinch the title without much hassle. Since Sarfraz took over captaincy duties following a disastrous World T20 campaign in 2016, Pakistan are yet to lose a bilateral T20 series. Under his leadership, the Men in Green have won a staggering 19 games of the 22 that they’ve played since then.

Arguably the biggest achievement during their sparkling run of form is definitely the series win down under in New Zealand. After being wickedly whitewashed by the Kiwis in the preceding ODI series, Pakistan also lost the first T20I and were completely down and out.

It was then, however, that Sarfraz managed to lift and inspire a young side, much like the way he had previously done during the Champions Trophy. Pakistan recorded a spell-binding comeback to trounce a star-studded Kiwi side in their backyard and also sealed their No,1 spot, in the process.

Since then, Pakistan hasn’t lost a T20I and are red-hot favourites to overcome their depleting opponents, this time around as well.

In light of their World Cup preparations, Pakistan have named a full-strength squad. Mohammad Amir hasn’t been rested despite his requests to manage the hefty workload off his shoulders. The squad boasts a nice blend of exciting youngsters like Shadab and Faheem and experienced veterans like Shoaib and Hafeez.

Following Ahmed Shehzad’s involvement in yet another controversy: this time in a scandalous doping offence, Sahibzada Farhan has earned a maiden call-up to the national side and will be looking to make the most of this wonderful opportunity.

Squad: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Sahibzada Farhan, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Sarfraz Ahmed (C), Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Usman Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir

Australia

The Australian team, just six months ago, was well on its way for excellent pre-World cup readiness, following a stellar home season. They had pummeled England in the Ashes and after losing in the ODI series by a convincing margin; they promptly redeemed themselves to grasp the Trans-Tasman T20 tri-series title by overwhelming the Kiwis in the final at Auckland’s Eden Park.

Not much has gone their way since then, thanks partly to the appalling ball-tampering saga that shook and scarred Australian Cricket. Warner and Smith have been suspended for a year, leaving the team in absolute disarray.

The fragility that surrounded this team was as palpable on their recent tour to England, as it had ever been. They were trounced in all the games they contested. The batting lacked agility and intent, the bowling had a dearth of disciplined aggression. To further add to their woes, they were at the receiving end of conceding the highest ever ODI total at the hands of the ruthless Englishmen. They are yet to win a match in any of the formats since the ball-tampering controversy.

Before departing for Zimbabwe, the Australian team is in tatters and will be itching to leave a mark and scribble down the beginning of a much-awaited revival. Gentle, slow pitches in Zimbabwe should allow them to settle down a bit unlike the flat tracks in England. It’s a formidable challenge that awaits them and Aaron Finch would want his men to be equal to the task and rekindle some glory in a traumatized cricketing nation.

Squad: Aaron Finch, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Billy Stanlake, D’Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth

Zimbabwe

Dark clouds looming over Zimbabwe Cricket’s future seem quite persistent and are not showing any intentions of clearing any time soon. The player-board altercation has aggravated, leaving hollow voids in an ever-declining Zimbabwean team. The dilemma is so intense and deep-rooted that two days before the start of the series, the team’s skipper hasn’t been announced.

Despite taking Zimbabwe to remarkable success and also being their highest wicket-taker in T20Is, Graeme Cremer was sacked from the team’s captaincy three months earlier. Now he has also been shelved from the squad that takes part in the tri-nation series. He is joined by a quartet of Zimbabwean stars who have been left out too, namely: Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza, who will be featuring for Montreal Tigers in Global T20 Canada.

The aforementioned quintet has boycotted the national side over Zimbabwe Cricket Board’s inability of paying their outstanding salaries and match fees, dating back to their tour of Sri Lanka in 2017. It is also feared that not everyone named in the squad may be willing to play since several other players have also cited payment concerns, which the consultant to Zimbabwe Cricket stated would be settled by 25th July.

Since the WT20 in 2016, Zimbabwe has featured in a mere 5 T20Is, of which they miserably lost two to Afghanistan. A lot of responsibility, hence, rests on experienced shoulders like Elton Chigumbura and Hamilton Masakadza to instil some life into this fainting Zimbabwean team. They will be looking to make the most of their favourable home conditions and ensure that they hunt down a couple of upsets in the tournament rather than bowing down to the giants of this format.

Squad: Cephas Zhuwao, Chamu Chibhabha, Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Tarisai Musakanda, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Elton Chigumbura, Malcolm Waller, Brian Chari, Peter Moor, Donald Tiripano, Wellington Masakadza, Tendai Chisoro, Blessing Muzarabani, Ryan Murray, Kyle Jarvis, Chris Mpofu, Prince Masvaure, John Nyumbu, Ryan Burl, Brandon Mavuta, Rugare Magarira.