Babar Azam won the toss on a dry, sunny day as Pakistan elected to bat on a slightly green-tinged deck in Rawalpindi.

Fakhar Zaman, who scored a double century against Zimbabwe two years ago, was left out, Abid Ali partnering Imam-ul-Haq at the top of the order. Usman Qadir continues to wait for his debut, while Haris Rauf was handed his first cap. The fast bowler was the second-highest wicket-taker at the recently concluded National T20 Cup.

Zimbabwe's squad, meanwhile, sees Blessing Muzarabani play his first game for the country in over two years. Brendan Taylor keeps his place, meaning Richmond Mutumbami misses out. There was also no place for Ryan Burl and Donald Tiripano.

Pakistan: 1 Abid Ali 2 Imam-ul-Haq 3 Babar Azam (capt) 4 Haris Sohail, 5 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 6 Iftikhar Ahmed 7 Faheem Ashraf 9 Imad Wasim 9 Wahab Riaz 10 Haris Rauf 11 Shaheen Afridi

Zimbabwe: 1 Brian Chari 2 Chamu Chibhabha (capt) 3 Sikandar Raza 4 Craig Ervine 5 Brendan Taylor (wk) 6 Sean Williams 7 Wesley Madhevere 8 Tendai Chisoro 9 Carl Mumba 10 Richard Ngarava 11 Blessing Muzarabani