Pakistan bowling coach Waqar Younis said Zimbabwe being a "relatively weak opposition", offers them a very good opportunity to try out a few young players emerging through performances at the domestic level.
The Zimbabweans will visit Pakistan for a series consisting of three ODIs and three T20Is.
The ODIs, included in the qualification pathway towards the next World Cup, will be played in Multan from October 30th, with the second and third one-dayer on November 1st and 3rd, respectively.
The three T20Is, which will aid preparations for the successive T20 World Cups in India (2021) and Australia (2022), will be played in Rawalpindi on November 7, 8 and 10, respectively.
"I don't want to state this but Zimbabwe compared to other teams is a relatively weak opposition and it is a good time for us to try out our young players," Waqar told reporters in Lahore, as quoted by PTI.
"People nowadays are not that interested in 50-over games as they are in T20 cricket matches so we also need to keep that in mind because we have two World T20 Cups plus the Asia Cup lined up in the next two years," he added.
Head coach Misbah Ul Haq, who had earlier played down suggestions around experimenting much despite the opposition, this time said performers from the ongoing National T20 tournament will be considered for selection, as they're looking to announce a squad of 22-25 players for the Zimbabwe series.
"If a player performs consistently well in the ongoing National T20 Championship he will be considered for the series. Good thing is we already have some good youngsters with the team," said Misbah, informing also that the selection committee plans to confirm the squad on October 19 at the conclusion of the domestic T20 competition.
"The Zimbabwe series would be an excellent platform for youngsters. Playing a home series and performing well is the dream of every player."
However, the coach and chief selector isn't too happy with the fitness standards of some of the players he has seen. Misbah had obligated each cricketer to maintain their physique even during the extended lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic.
"It is not possible that you are overweight 15 kilos and expect to become a part of the national team," he said on a local news channel.
"Everyone, including the likes of Sharjeel Khan, has been made aware of the policy at the time of the PSL. I have been very clear from the beginning that there can never be a compromise over fitness."
