Australia, Zimbabwe, and Pakistan are all geared up to lock horns for the T20I Tri-nation series in Zimbabwe and the numero uno position in the world rankings would be at stake in this tournament. Pakistan are going into the series as the top-ranked team while Australia dropped to third after losing to England in their only T20I clash. But the Aussies have immense opportunities to be able to break their losing streak in Zimbabwe.

The Australian cricket team is missing the services of their six main players. Former skipper Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner are serving one-year ban each for the ball-tampering controversy while Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitch Marsh are all recovering from injuries.

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Pakistan on the other side have gone with a full strength squad but have rested Mohammad Amir for the tour. Mohammad Hafeez’s bowling action was cleared as legal lasth month and he would play a crucial role in this campaign. Talking about the same, Pakistan selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq said, “Hafeez warranted a place after clearing his action.”

The hosts Zimbabwe are struggling to get a stable squad after the pay dispute between the Board and the senior players. New coach Lalchand Rajput said, “To be very honest, I just look at the players who are available and the best 15 or 17 which we have picked. So my job is to get the 17 who are available and prepare them for the tri-series. I am not interested in who is available or not available. My job is for the people who are available and I want to prepare them well for the tri-series.”

The tournament starts from July 1 and the all the three teams will play four matches each.