Ireland made light work of their second World Cricket League ODI against Scotland in Belfast on Sunday, winning by seven wickets thanks to Niall O'Brien's unbeaten half century.
There have only been three days between Tests, and the groundstaff have a tough job getting a decent pitch prepared in that time. It is assumed the wicket will deteriorate quicker in this game, especially in the heat.
As expected, Zimbabwe floundered at every turn against spinners Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman, allowing Pakistan a convincing 221-run triumph on day five of the first Test at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday
Scotland came within one ball of keeping their World Cup automatic qualification hopes alive, but Ireland pulled a rabbit out of the hat to win by one wicket, with one ball to spare, in Belfast on Friday.
Zimbabwe faced an uphill battle in the first Test against Pakistan in Harare, reaching stumps on day four on 13 for one, still trailing by 329 runs after Younis Khan's double century put the visitors in control.
The first ODI between England and Australia was abandoned without a coin tossed or a ball bowled on Friday, as heavy rains in Leeds denied the opening game of the series a start.
Pakistan reached stumps on day three of the first Test against Zimbabwe in Harare holding a lead of 90 runs, making 168 for four after a century stand between Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan denied the hosts further early wickets.
Scotland will get the opportunity to bounce back from their comprehensive and humiliating defeat to Australia when they face Ireland in their final set of ICC World Cricket League fixtures.
The England versus Australia roller coaster shifts formats again this weekend, as the sides prepare for a five-match ODI series on the back of the drawn one-all T20 installment.
Zimbabwe reached stumps on day two of the first Test against Pakistan on 281 for seven, holding a lead of 32 runs in Harare after a solid day of all-round batting performances by the middle order.
Big centuries from openers Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh and seamer Mitchell Johnson's telling four-wicket haul afforded Australia a hefty 200-run victory over Scotland in Tuesday's one-off ODI at the Grange Cricket Club Ground in Raeburn Place, Edinburgh.
Unbeaten centuries from captain Eoin Morgan and all-rounder Ravi Bopara collectively usurped opener William Porterfield's authoritative ton, as England trumped Ireland by six wickets in Tuesday's one-off ODI in Malahide, Dublin.
Zimbabwe's decision to bowl first brought plenty of reward, before the tail-enders kept Pakistan in the contest - on day one of the first Test at the Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.
A near century from Alex Hales and three key breakthroughs from seamer Jade Dernbach afforded England a comfortable 27-run win - and left the two-match series squared - in Saturday's second and final Twenty20 International at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street, Durham.
Triumphant in the first ODI, Zimbabwe ultimately flattered to deceive, as Pakistan clinched a 108-run win - and two-one series victory - in Saturday's decider at the Harare Sports Club.
Opener Aaron Finch struck the highest score in the history of Twenty20 International cricket, as Australia powered to a straightforward 39-run victory over England in Thursday's series opener at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.
Triumphant in the series opener, Zimbabwe were handed a stark reality check on Thursday, when batsman Mohammad Hafeez's outstanding century afforded Pakistan a 90-run win in the second ODI at the Harare Sports Club.
The England v Australia rivalry shifts focus dramatically this week as we move from the longest format to the shortest, and also from two Test captains to two completely different T20 skippers.
Opener Hamilton Masakadaza, captain Brendan Taylor and the enterprising Sean Williams stood at the fore of Zimbabwe's first ODI victory over Pakistan in almost 15 years on Tuesday.
The fifth and final Ashes Test ended in a draw thanks to bad light's arrival, as England fell just 21 runs short of a historic four nil series win, after Australia's declaration ensured a thrilling final session.
Day four of the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval was ruined by rain, as it was on day two, after heavy rains overnight and more in the morning essentially ensured a drawn Test as play was abandoned.
Zimbabwe needed 180 runs to win the second T20 against Pakistan in Harare, after Ahmed Shehzad added another half ton to his record with 98 not out, but fell 19 runs short on Saturday.
Ian Bell was left holding the fort for England yet again as they struggled for runs on the third day of the final Ashes Test against Australia at The Oval on Friday.
Opener Ahmed Shehzad's quickfire half-century and spinners' collective performance were too much for Zimbabwe to handle, as Pakistan clinched a 25-run triumph - and early series lead - in Friday's first Twenty20 International at the Harare Sports Club.
Centuries from Shane Watson and Steven Smith afforded Australia a big declaration, before England's openers lopped off a fraction of the hefty deficit on day two of the fifth and final Test at The Oval in London on Thursday.
