daniel chigunwe
Brandon Moyo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Chevrons produced yet another dismal performance as they suffered a 99- run defeat against Pakistan in the third and final One Day International at Queens Sports Club yesterday.
Zimbabwe were outplayed by the visitors with both bat and ball as the Asian powerhouse secured yet another overseas victory, coming from behind to win 2-1.
Pakistan have now made it back-to-back 2-1 victories overseas, having beaten Australia a fortnight ago.
In yesterday’s decider, the visitors won the toss and elected to bat first and went on to score a massive 303/6 in their 50 overs.
Tasked with chasing a mammoth 304 target, the Chevrons could only manage to amass 204 runs as they were bowled out in 40,1 overs, to lose the series.
Chevrons head coach, Justin Sammons who was in charge of his first series, said:
“This is our first look at an ODI series but it was not through lack of effort. The effort was there but, obviously, a lack of skill at the end of the day.
“I think tactically we got it a bit wrong in terms of bowling options, especially with our fifth bowler.
“From a skill point of view, we were outskilled at the end of the day. We have to go back and keep working to upskill ourselves and to improve.
“But, ultimately, it comes down to batters for me in the series.
“They need to go back, look at themselves in the mirror and be honest in terms of their reflections and find ways to come back better.”
Pakistan’s opening batters, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, notched up a half-century stand for the first wicket before the former was caught on 31 off 37 balls.
After the first wicket fell, Kamran Ghulam walked in and produced a stellar performance that saw him bring up his career best score.
Ghulam scored a brilliant 103 runs off 99 deliveries, his maiden ODI ton, having gone into the game with a best score of 17.
Shafique chipped in with 50 runs off 68 balls.
There were three players for the visitors who fell in the 30s.
Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava picked up two wickets apiece for the Chevrons.
Raza finished with figures of 2/47 in his 10 over spell while Ngarava had figures of 2/55 also in 10 overs.
Blessing Muzarabani and Faraz Akram picked up one scalp apiece for the hosts as Pakistan set them a mammoth score to chase.
Zimbabwe’s struggles with the bat continued in this game as they lost wickets on regular intervals.
The hosts lost their first two wickets as early as the third over with Joylord Gumbie and Dion Myers falling within four balls of each other.
The wickets left Zimbabwe reeling on 10/2 in 2,5 overs before Craig Ervine and Tadiwanashe Marumani notched up a 39-run stand for the third wicket.
Skipper Ervine top scored for Zimbabwe with 51 runs from 63 balls while young sensation, Brian Bennett chipped in with 37 runs from 27 deliveries.
The T20I series gets underway on Sunday.
Online Reporter