The grim reminder that Pakistan remains the only country to have lost a Test so far to Zimbabwe and that too at the Harare Sports Club on their last trip where the second and final Test starts tomorrow (Saturday) is itself embarrassing enough for the tourists who are now aiming to improve on their rather disappointing performance so far on this leg of the tour.
At Bulawayo in the first Test they were lucky not to have succumbed under pressure of a massive target of 368.
Pakistan has got to make amends for that batting failures in this Test and redeem their rather dwindling pride with some rejuvenating display with the bat or else once again they will be caught between the devil and the deep sea and survival like in the first Test may once again become a tough task to handle.
Wasim Akram and Mushtaq Ahmed who were unfit during the first Test have gained fitness while Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis and Aamir Sohail have recovered from their injuries. There will be some changes in this Test.
Akram and Mushtaq are likely to be included. Akram for Shoaib Akhtar who has fluid in his left knee and Saqlain who has a bruised spinning finger.
Ali Naqvi who batted poorly is another who will have to be replaced. Aamir Sohail who is out of form is likely to open with Saeed Anwar. Inzamam has an upset stomach but is likely to be fit.
Zimbabwe has left out off-spinner Andy Whittall and opener Dirk Viljoen who bagged a pair on his Test debut at Bulawayo. Instead they have included Gavin Rennie, a left-handed batsman who had a fine tour of Sri Lanka recently and averaged over 60 in the Tests but somehow ran out of form in New Zealand.
Adam Huckle a right-arm leg spinner who toured New Zealand is also in the team and is likely to play to partner Paul Strang who bowled superbly in the first Test.
With grass taken off the pitch, Zimbabwe would most probably play both the spinners in case the pitch develops cracks later during the Test and is helpful to spin bowling. In that case Mushtaq could prove as a more effective bowler if Zimbabwe bats last.
The Flower brothers, Andy and Grant with a century each in the first Test and Murray Goodwin with his maiden 166 in Tests have shown that their batting is capable of handling Pakistan attack.
Guy Whittall is another player who can flog the Pakistan bowling if they fail to maintain a good line. The outfield is slow but lush, the wicket seemingly full of runs which of course will be a vital factor for either team. Batting first would be a big advantage.
The teams:
Pakistan (From): Aamir Sohail, Saeed Anwar, Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Moin Khan, Azhar Mahmood, Rashid Latif, Wasim Akram, Mushtaq Ahmed, Waqar Younis, Ali Naqvi, Saqlain Mushtaq.
Zimbabwe (From): Grant Flower, Gavin Rennie, Murray Goodwin, Alistair Campbell, Andy Flower, Guy Whittall, Trevor Madonda, Paul Strang, Heath Streak, Pom Mbangwa, Adam Huckle, Bryan Strang.
Umpires: Steve Randall, Russell Tiffin, Referee, Graham Dowling.