THE Twenty20 cricket series between hosts Zimbabwe and Pakistan explodes this Sunday at Harare Sports Club.
The visitors arrived in Harare on Thursday and got down to business at Harare Sports Club in the shortest version of the game.
The two sides clash in two T20 cricket series before playing three One Day Internationals (ODIs).
The second and final T20 will be played at the same venue on Tuesday.
After the explosive T20s, action shifts to the ODIs on Thursday October 1.
All matches will be played at Harare Sports Club.
The second and third ODIs will be played on October 3 and 5 respectively.
Zimbabwe Cricket enjoy bilateral relations with Pakistan Cricket Board.
The Chevrons’ blossoming relationship saw Zimbabwe becoming the first Test-playing nation to visit the unstable Pakistan since 2009.
The last Test-playing nation to visit Pakistan was Sri Lanka when gunmen attacked the visitors’ team bus.
As a result, Pakistan was stripped of the privilege of hosting International Cricket Council (ICC) sanctioned matches.
Pakistan is using the United Arab Emirates as its ‘home ground’.
Zimbabwe won the hearts of Pakistan as they bridged a six-year gap of international cricket and the media was awash with reports of the tour of Pakistan by Zimbabwe after many had urged the Chevrons not to visit.
The ICC did not even provide umpires for the tour.
The Pakistani media commended Zimbabwe, describing it as a nation that understood the effects of isolation.
Zimbabwe named a strong squad for the series against Pakistan, a blend of youth and experience captained by Elton Chigumbura.
Sikandar Raza Butt, Craig Ervine, Malcom Waller and Chigumbura are expected to play a crucial role in the shortest version of the game.
Raza will be playing against his kith and kin as the pint-sized batsman was born in Pakistan but opted for a Zimbabwean citizenship.
The right-handed batsman has been able to deliver well with the bat.
Zimbabwe’s bowling attack is likely to be led by seamer Chris Mpofu complemented by rising all-rounder John Nyumbu.
Taurai Muzarabani who has seen more action in T20s for Zimbabwe is likely to add another international cap during the Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, former Chevrons coach Steven Mangongo has been appointed Zimbabwe Under-19 gaffer taking over from Walter Chawaguta who has been re-assigned to the national selection panel.
Mangongo’s first assignment is to assemble a competitive Under-19 squad for the ICC World Cup slated for Bangladesh next January.
Mangongo served as assistant coach in the senior men’s cricket team before assuming the head coach role after the promotion of Andy Waller in July 2014.
His stint as coach ended abruptly after a disastrous tour of Bangladesh in December 2014.
Mangongo made headlines when he guided Zimbabwe to a three-wicket victory over fancied Australia in August 2014.
Squad
Elton Chigumbura (Captain), Sikandar Raza Butt, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Graeme Cremer, Craig Ervine, Luke Jongwe, Neville Madziva, Hamilton Masakadza, Christopher Mpofu, Richmond Mutumbami (W/keeper), Taurai Muzarabani, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Prosper Utseya, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams