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BRISBANE. — The 23rd game of ICC Cricket World Cup will be played between Pakistan and Zimbabwe tomorrow at the Gabba. So far, in ICC Cricket World Cup, Zimbabwe has performed better than Pakistan team.

Though Zimbabwe has lost two of its three opening matches the defeat margin is lesser than Pakistan.

Zimbabwe lost its first match against South Africa by just 62 runs on the huge target of 339 runs and lost second match by 73 runs by chasing a target of West Indies’ 362 runs. They also have scored their first points on the ICC ranking table by four wickets victory against the UAE.

Former Zimbabwean test cricketer Alistair Campbell wrote in his column for ICC website.

“The match against Ireland is crucial to our chances of progressing, but we will have to beat Pakistan or India, too. It is not impossible — far from it.

“But we will have to find a way of limiting the damage in the final overs. The best way, of course, is to take more early wickets,”

Campbell seems quite hopeful with the Zimbabwe’s team performance so far. Later he added that,

“We’re still alive with the possibility of a quarter-final place remaining a reality — not just statistically, but because we are playing well enough to produce an upset.”

Though Green Shirts are considered to be far better side than Zimbabwe, but in all previous innings Zimbabwe is able to score more than 250 runs while Pakistan team has failed to go ahead of 250.

Meanwhile, Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad has been cleared to play in the team’s third Cricket World Cup Pool B game against Zimbabwe tomorrow after suffering an ankle injury, an official said Friday.

The 23-year-old right-hander was sent for an MRI scan after team practice in Brisbane, complaining of pain in his left ankle.

“Shehzad complained of acute pain in his Achilles tendon. This occurred during a fielding training session,” said team physio Brad Robinson, son of former Zimbabwean umpire Ian.

“On examination he had a mild limp and was tender in his Achilles tendon. Shehzad had an MRI in Brisbane this morning. The results showed a slight soreness. The Achilles tendon was intact and undamaged. I am confident he will be available to play against Zimbabwe.”

Shehzad scored 47 in the opening defeat against India but managed just one in Pakistan’s 150-run thrashing at the hands of the West Indies in Christchurch last Saturday.

Pakistan need a win to bolster their chances of reaching the quarter-finals and are currently bottom of Pool B.

Shehzad was one of eight players fined for breaching a curfew a week before the World Cup started. — Brecorder.com