Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed has warned his team not to underestimate Zimbabwe in the upcoming ODI series.

The two sides begin the five-match series on Friday with Pakistan going into the opener at Queens Sports Club as strong favourites following their T20 tri-series triumph.

They will also take on a Zimbabwe side who are missing several key players with the likes of Brendan Taylor and Sikandar Raza absent after a dispute with the Zimbabwe Cricket board. But Sarfraz believes his team will have to be on top of their game to beat the hosts and register their first ODI win in 2018 after being beaten 5-0 by in a bilateral series against New Zealand.

“The one-day series is important, and it’s not easy to play Zimbabwe in their home conditions,” said Sarfraz.

“The matches are also starting very early. It’s probably even more cold in Bulawayo too, so it’s not going to be an easy series.”

Meanwhile,  Zimbabwe coach Lalchand Rajput promised that his charges will give a ‘real fight’ in every game.

“Pakistan are very strong but our players are a little bit confident,” Rajput said.

“The confidence we take from the T20I series will be shown in the ODI series as well. I am sure this team will definitely push Pakistan and make a real fight of the ODI series.”