Pakistan vs. Zimbabwe, 3rd ODI: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Pakistan have already won the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe 2-0. With one match to go, the question is now whether they can keep the momentum going.

Date: Sunday, June 1, 2015

Time:  4 p.m. local (11 a.m. GMT and Noon BST)

Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Live stream and TV info: PTV Sports (Pakistan and UAE), Star Sports (India), SuperSport (Zimbabwe)

Weather: As has been the case for this entire tour, it's going to be hot in Lahore. A thunderstorm is expected, according to AccuWeather.com. That could provide some welcome relief to the 41-degree Celsius temperatures expected throughout the day.

Overview

Pakistan completed a six-wicket win over Zimbabwe on Friday to ensure they head into the third and final ODI with an unassailable 2-0 lead. A century at the top of the order from skipper Azhar Ali and an unbeaten 52 from Haris Sohail guided Pakistan to victory. Their bowlers, too, were impressive with tidy economy rates and smatterings of aggression helping to restrict Zimbabwe to a modest total of 268-7 in 50 overs.

International cricket’s return to Pakistan has been a sublime occasion. After Pakistan were so thoroughly beaten by Bangladesh a month ago, this result is a breath of fresh air. Granted, their opposition has hardly put up a fight, and the real test will come in the third and final ODI when there is technically nothing to play for.

The biggest struggle for Zimbabwe on this tour has been the inability of all the batsmen to click. In each ODI, one or two players have posted a score of significance, with the rest falling flat. As much was evident once again on Friday when Chamu Chibhabha scored 99 with Sikandar Raza contributing an unbeaten 100, both coming at virtually a run-a-ball or better.

The lack of partnerships stunted their progress and while Pakistan's bowlers deserve some credit, poor decision making from Zimbabwe's batsmen cost them.

Zimbabwe will once again be without captain Elton Chigumbura who is suspended and Hamilton Mazakadaza will continue to lead. Zimbabwe need to find a way to get out of this rut they have been stuck in for far too long. Poor shot selection, amateur bowling and, at times, some dubious fielding have cost them in this series.

Zimbabwe certainly do not lack talent, it’s just that their players are struggling to fulfill their promise at present. A consolation win in the final ODI will go a long way in boosting some of the players’ confidence and getting them back to believing in themselves.

Key players

Pakistan

Azhar Ali has had a superb series with 181 runs next to his name, including a half-century and a century. He seems to be blossoming in his captaincy role and his ability to bring calm to the top of the order has had a massive impact on Pakistan's approach by taking some pressure off the lower and middle order.

Zimbabwe

Positives have been few and far between for Zimbabwe on this tour, but Sikandar Raza's century on Friday showed there's plenty of talent in this squad. Raza might not be able to repeat the same feat in the next match, but he should have some belief that he can anchor the middle order, should the top order stutter.

Squads 

Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad, Bilawal Bhatti, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Rizwan, Mukhtar Ahmed, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz, Sarfraz Ahmed, Anwar Ali, Hammad Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Sami, Nauman Anwar, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi

Zimbabwe: Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Chamu Chibhabha, Charles Coventry, Graeme Cremer, Craig Ervine, Roy Kaia, Hamilton Masakadza, Chris Mpofu, Tawanda Mupariwa, Richmond Mutumbami, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusi Sibanda, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Elton Chigumbura