Zimbabwe shocks Pakistan in rainy first ODI in Bulawayo – Sport

BULAWAYO: Sikandar Raza’s all-round show helped Zimbabwe beat Pakistan by 80 runs in a rain-shortened one-day International here at the Queens Sports Club on Sunday.

Chasing a mediocre-looking total of 206, Pakistan’s batting collapsed sharply. After 21 overs, the tourists were struggling at 60 for 6 and the game was abandoned due to rain and Zimbabwe were declared winners using the Duckworth-Lewis Method (DLS).

Pakistan openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique (one) did not last long as the latter was caught behind by Tadiwanashe Marumani off-pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani for a total of 11 runs.

Muzarabani earned his second wicket with a total of 17 when Saim (11) was caught by Marumani in the fifth over. The left-handed Saim was soon followed by Kamran Ghulam (17 off 28), who was sent back to the pavilion by the experienced slow left-arm orthodox spinner Sean Williams.

Pakistan’s run rate slowed down more and more as the game progressed. With the score at 49-3 in the 16th over, vice-captain Salman Ali Agha (four) was caught in front by experienced off-spinner Sikandar, who cleared Haseebullah for a duck. Pakistan was now hovering around 60°C for 6°C as rain began to fall. Captain Mohammad Rizwan (19 off 43) and Aamer Jamal (zero off five) were at the crease when the action ended due to rain.

Earlier, Zimbabwe’s openers attempted an aggressive start after being deployed to bat but failed. For the total score of 40, Joylord Gumbie was overtaken by Abdullah with 15 points, while Dion Myers contributed just eight points.

While captain Craig Ervine (six), Tadiwanashe Marumani (29), Sean Williams (23) and Brian Bennett (20) made some contributions, Brandon Mavuta (one) and Muzarabani (nil) made favorable appearances.

After restricting the hosts to 125-7 in the 26th over, a crucial 62-run partnership between Sikandar and Richard Ngarava enlivened Zimbabwe’s innings to some extent. Sikandar made 39 off 56 with the help of six fours before falling to left-arm wrist spinner Faisal Akram, while Ngarava top-scored with 48 off, including five fours and a six. He was bowled by paceman Mohammad Hasnain

For Pakistan, Salman and Faisal claimed three wickets each while pacers Haris Rauf, Aamer Jamal and Hasnain claimed one wicket each.

Sikandar was named player of the match.

Aamer, wicket-keeper/batter Haseebullah and Faisal made their ODI debuts.

The second ODI will be played on Tuesday at the same venue.

Pakistan arrived in Zimbabwe after defeating Australia 2-1 in a three-match ODI series Down Under. Rizwan led the national team for the first time on this tour where the tourists were defeated 3-0 in a T20 International match.

SCOREBOARD

ZIMBABWE:

J. Gumbie expires15

T. Marumani by Rizwan by Salman29

D. Myers c Haseebullah b Salman8

C. Ervine c Saim b Haris6

S. Williams c Rizwan b Salman23

S. Raza c Abdullah b Faisal39

B. Bennett c Rizwan b Aamir20

B. Mavuta c Hasnain b Faisal1

R. Ngarava b Hasnain48

B. Muzarabani b Faisal0

T. Gwandu not eliminated3

EXTRAS (B-4, LB-2, W-7)13

TOTAL (all out, 40.2 overs)205

CASE OF WICKETS: 1-40 (Gumbie), 2-58 (Myers), 3-67 (Ervine), 4-83 (Marumani), 5-99 (Williams), 6-124 (Bennett), 7-125 ( Mavuta), 8-187 (Raza), 9-187 (Muzarabani)

BOWLING: Aamir 7-1-42-1 (4w), Hasnain 7.2-0-43-1 (3w), Saim 2-0-12-0, Salman 9-0-42-3, Haris 7-1 -36 -1, Faisal 8-0-24-3

PAKISTAN:

Saim Ayub c Marumani b Muzarabani11

Abdullah Shafique c Marumani b Muzarabani1

Kamran Ghulam c Marumani b Williams17

Mohammad Rizwan not eliminated19

Salman Ali Agha lbw Raza4

Haseebullah Khan b Raza0

Irfan Khan b Williams7

Aamir Jamal not out0

EXTRAS (W-1)1

TOTAL (for six wickets, 21 overs)60

CASE OF WICKETS: 1-11 (Abdullah), 2-17 (Saim), 3-40 (Kamran), 4-49 (Salman), 5-49 (Haseebullah), 6-58 (Irfan)

NOT BEATEN: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Faisal Akram

BOWLING: Muzarabani 5-1-9-2 (1w), Ngarava 5-0-18-0, Williams 6-0-12-2, Gwandu 2-0-14-0, Raza 3-0-7-2

RESULT: Zimbabwe won by 80 runs (DLS method).

Published in Dawn, November 25, 2024