Pakistan out to regain confidence against Zimbabwe

But with opener Saeed Anwer and Inzamam-ul-Haq back in the side, captain Aamir Sohail said he was confident Pakistan could regain the winning thread. ``The loss against Australia is history now and we will begin the series against Zimbabwe with new determination and will surely win,'' Sohail said Zimbabwe, regarded as the minnows of international cricket, have shown remarkable improvement in the one-day scene. They beat India in the last one-day international at home and defeated world champions Sri Lanka twice and India once on their way to the final of the three-nation tournament in Sharjah earlier this month.

``I hope my team upsets Pakistan and why not. Our recent performance shows they can do it,'' Zimbabwe coach Dave Houghton said. A sell-out crowd of 15,000 is expected in Gujranwala where tight security are in place, officials said. Four years ago several people were injured in the neighbouring town of Sahiwal when spectators went out of control in the match between Pakistan and Australia.

Out of 16 one-dayers played between them, Pakistan have taken 14, Zimbabwe one with one tie. Zimbabwe are scheduled to play three Test matches and as many one-day internationals during their month-long tour. The second one-day will be played at Sheikhupura on November 22 and the final at Rawalpindi on November 24.

Teams from: Pakistan - Aamir Sohail (captain), Saeed Anwer, Shahid Afridi, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Ejaz Ahmed, Yousuf Yohanna, Moin Khan, Azhar Mahmood, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhter, Saqlain Mushtaq, Hasan Raza, Mushtaq Ahmed and Mohammad Akram

Zimbabwe: Alistair Campbell (captain), Andrew Flower, Eddo Brandes, Grant Flower, Murray Goodwin, Paul Strang, Craig Wishart, Andrew Whittal, Neil Johnson, Heath Streak, Craig Evans and Henry Olonga.