The much-awaited Pakistan vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I marks the official start of the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series 2025/26, hosted in Rawalpindi under dazzling floodlights. Both teams enter this opener with contrasting goals — Pakistan aiming to fine-tune its T20 core ahead of the World Cup, while Zimbabwe seeks to make an early statement in this high-profile series.
The atmosphere at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is expected to be electric as fans turn up in thousands for what could be a thrilling start to the tri-nation battle.
Match Details – Pakistan vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I Tri-Series 2025
| Match | Date | Time (PST) | Venue | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Match (Night) | Mon, 17 Nov 2025 | 7:30 PM | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium | Match yet to begin |
The Pakistan vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I Tri-Series 2025 match preview and prediction suggests an intriguing clash — Pakistan with experience and home advantage, and Zimbabwe with fearless intent.
Recent Form & Team Performance
Pakistan enters this Tri-Series with solid form, having won the recent T20I series against South Africa 2–1. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, showed resilience in the T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers, though they faltered in their most recent series against Afghanistan.
| Team | Last 5 T20Is | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | W, W, L, L, W | Beat South Africa twice convincingly; lost Asia Cup Final narrowly to India |
| Zimbabwe | L, L, L, W, W | Mixed form; impressive wins in African Qualifiers but struggled against Afghanistan |
“Pakistan’s T20 rhythm looks stronger than ever. Their bowling attack in home conditions can dismantle any lineup,” remarked a former PCB selector while discussing the Pakistan vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I Tri-Series 2025 Dream11 team and pitch report.
Head-to-Head Record (T20 Internationals)
The rivalry has been one-sided historically, but Zimbabwe’s underdog spirit keeps the fixture interesting.
| Teams | Matches | Pakistan Wins | Zimbabwe Wins | Pakistan Win % | Zimbabwe Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan vs Zimbabwe | 21 | 18 | 3 | 85.71% | 14.29% |
Probable Playing XI
| Pakistan (Probable XI) | Role | Zimbabwe (Probable XI) | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saim Ayub | Top-order Batter | Tadiwanashe Marumani | Top-order Batter |
| Fakhar Zaman | Opening Batter | Brendan Taylor † | Wicketkeeper Batter |
| Babar Azam | Batter | Dion Myers | Top-order Batter |
| Salman Agha (c) | Allrounder | Sikandar Raza (c) | Allrounder |
| Sahibzada Farhan † | Middle-order Batter | Brian Bennett | Allrounder |
| Usman Khan | Wicketkeeper Batter | Ryan Burl | Allrounder |
| Faheem Ashraf | Bowling Allrounder | Clive Madande † | Wicketkeeper Batter |
| Mohammad Nawaz | Allrounder | Bradley Evans | Allrounder |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | Bowler | Richard Ngarava | Bowler |
| Naseem Shah | Bowler | Graeme Cremer | Bowler |
| Abrar Ahmed | Bowler | Newman Nyamhuri | Bowler |
Pakistan XI Note: Expect captain Salman Agha to rely on pace dominance through Afridi, Naseem, and Faheem, while Abrar Ahmed provides vital spin depth.
Zimbabwe XI Note: Sikandar Raza leads the team, missing key pacer Muzarabani. Their bowling unit will lean on Evans and Ngarava for breakthroughs.
Pitch and Conditions – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
The Pakistan vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I Tri-Series 2025 Dream11 team and pitch report indicates a high-scoring track. The pitch in Rawalpindi offers true bounce and plenty of carry for fast bowlers early on, while set batters can dominate as the innings progresses.
- Average 1st innings score: 180+
- Dew may play a role in the second innings
- Boundaries are small, making run chases realistic
“Rawalpindi rewards aggression — but teams that adapt early to pace and swing usually stay ahead,” said a domestic coach familiar with the conditions.
Pakistan vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I Tri-Series 2025 Timing, Venue, and Broadcast Details
- Match Time: 7:30 PM PST (8:00 PM IST)
- Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
- Live Streaming: PTV Sports & official ICC platforms
- Broadcast Partners: Geo Super (Pakistan), SuperSport (Africa region)
Fans can follow live scorecards and ball-by-ball commentary on here.
Match Prediction & Tactical Insights
Pakistan’s top-order strength and bowling attack make them clear favorites. Zimbabwe, however, have match-winners like Sikandar Raza who can turn games single-handedly.
Key Factors:
- Pakistan’s powerplay bowling could decide the tone early.
- Zimbabwe’s all-rounders must perform with both bat and ball.
- The toss is crucial; chasing under lights offers a slight edge.
Final Prediction:
Pakistan to win by 6–8 wickets or 35–45 runs, given their superior home record and current momentum.
cricketer.io/ Analysis
Pakistan’s experience and balance make them the likely victors. Zimbabwe’s challenge will be to extend the contest deep and test Pakistan’s middle order.
For continuous analysis, visit Cricket News or explore the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series Schedule page for upcoming fixtures.
FAQs
When will the Pakistan vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I take place?
The match is scheduled for November 17, 2025, at 7:30 PM PST in Rawalpindi.
What is the pitch report for the 1st T20I?
Expect a batting-friendly surface with early seam movement and dew assisting chasers later.
Who are the key players to watch?
Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Sikandar Raza are expected to be the top performers.
What channel will broadcast the match live?
The game will air on PTV Sports and SuperSport, with digital streaming on ICC platforms.
Who is favored to win the match?
Based on current form and home advantage, Pakistan are strong favorites to win the opening T20I.