National selection committee pruned the list of 18 players already announced and dropped pacemen Muhammad Zahid and Aaqib Javed and the reserve wicketkeeper Humayun Farhat. However, finalisation of the side has been delayed till the start of the match.
A green-top pitch has been prepared under the supervision of former Test star Hanif Muhammad. Coach Javed Miandad and Captain Aamir Sohail, had a good look at the square on Wednesday afternoon and in all probability will select the green-top pitch for the Test because they look very serious to win and draw level in this series 1-1. Zimbabwe had beaten Pakistan at Peshawar by seven wickets and made history by registered its first-ever win on a foreign soil. Like a wounded lion, the Pakistan team is itching for action. It must win the match to salvage its prestige and create hopes of winning the series against the visitors.
Both the teams had net practice in the Qadhafi Stadium on Wednesday. While the Zimbabwe team practised in the morning from 10:30 am to 12 noon, the Pakistan side had its session in the afternoon.
Captain Alstair Campbell said that all his players were fit and very keen to win the Lahore Test as well to wrap up the series 2-0. He said:
``We have played positive cricket so far. We will be very positive again during the second Test! We will not sit back on our laurels, having won the first Test at Peshawar. In my opinion, the pitch will seam a bit. We are serious to push hard to get another win''.
As for finalisation of the Zimbabwe Eleven, Mr Campbell said that that would be picked after having a final look at the pitch. However, he hinted that the same team could be played in this Test as well.
The visiting team is capable of putting up a fine show as it has been improving with every match, shock defeat at the hands of Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) at the same venue not withstanding. Neil Johnson, Murray Goodwin, Grant Flower, GavinRennie and Alistair Campbell have been in excellent batting form. Fielding of Zimbabwe side has been traditionally brilliant. Olonga, Heath Streak, Grant Flower and Andrew Whittal has bowled very well during the current tour and on a helpful pitch, they are capable of restricting the strong Pakistani line-up to a low total.
Pakistan's chances of winning the Lahore Test depend heavily on its batting performance. The batsmen like Saeed Anwar, Ejaz Ahmad, Inzimam-ul-Haq, Captain Aamir Sohail, Yousaf Yohana, Azhar Mahmood, Moin Khan and Wasim Akram have the ability to build a big total but for that purpose they must bat to their potential.
Coach Javed Miandad, himself a brilliant fielder of yesteryear, has been working hard on improving fielding of the Pakistan team. It showed signs of improvement during two one-day internationals which Pakistan won to claim the series 2-1. There is no reason why they should not rise to the occasion.
Pacemen Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis have been shattering the best of the batting line-ups. If they find their rhythm, they can run through the Zimbabwe batting. They will have admirable support from offspinner Saqlain Mushtaq. Darell Hair and Mian Muhammad Aslam will supervise the Test. Azhar Hasan will be the reserve umpire while Muhammad Sidique Khan will be the TV replays umpire. Cammie Smith is the match-referee.
Zimbabwe will name their team from amongst the following players:
Alistair Campbell (captain), Grant Flower, Andy Flower, Gavin Rennie, Murray Goodwin, Craig Wishart, Neil Johnson, Andrew Whittal, Paul Strang, Heath Streak, Adam Huckle, Olonga, Matambanadzo, Mbangwa.