The Pakistan vs Zimbabwe series so far has had a similar pattern – big runs, and a few more runs after that, with the hosts always ending up being the team to score that few runs more for victory.
When the second ODI comes rolling along, expect another run-fest as Pakistan look to seal the three-match one-day international series, and a fourth straight win against Zimbabwe across two formats, with victory in Lahore on Friday.
The last match was an historic one for Pakistan, as the batsmen came to the fore, and how, posting all of 375/3 in 50 overs, the highest ever ODI total on home soil.
If the result, after that humongous total, was expected to be a foregone conclusion, it was far from it as Zimbabwe made a real fist of the chase, before eventually finishing on 334/5, to fall short by 41 runs.
This momentous tour has been about the batting, and the willow-wielders will look to make their mark again come Friday matchday, particularly Shoaib Malik, who reminded the world of his talents again with a remarkable 76-ball 112 on his ODI comeback for Pakistan.
If the likes of Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali and Haris Sohail, the top four, all of whom scored half-centuries in the 1st ODI, continue to pile on the runs, it will make the jobs of the Pakistan bowlers a lot easier and the Zimbabwe batsmen next to impossible.
All the Zimbabwe batsmen can continue to do is to bat as well as they have on this tour, and hope the bowlers back them up this time in the 2nd ODI. The visitors will also have to deal with having to play without Elton Chigumbura for the rest of this ODI series as well, after their captain was suspended for the remaining two matches for a slow over rate.
Hamilton Masakadza will take over the captaincy for the rest of the ODI series, but the batsman admitted Zimbabwe will miss the services of Chigumbura, who has shown good form with the bat, scoring a brilliant hundred in the last match.
"Obviously it's a big blow on both fronts, in terms of the way he's been batting and also in terms of his leadership out there on the field," Masakadza said. "But what's been done is done and we have to move on from here and hopefully the guys sitting out step up and fill in his shoes.
"But still we can give Pakistan a tough time as the guys that are sitting out are waiting to have their chance and go out there, so whoever gets fit can step up and play well."
Where to Watch Live
Pakistan vs Zimbabwe 2nd ODI is set to begin at 4 pm local time (4.30 pm IST, 12 pm BST, 7 am ET) with live TV coverage in India on Ten Cricket. Audience in Pakistan can catch the game live on Ten Sports and PTV Sports, while the live stream option is on PTV Sports Live.
Viewers in the US can watch Pakistan vs Zimbabwe live on Willow TV and Willow TV Online.
