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Jeffrey Murimbechi Sports Correspondent
ZIMBABWE crashed to a 25-run defeat in the first Twenty20 cricket match against Pakistan at Harare Sports Club in a match that was delicately balanced, for a very large part, before the visitors’ spinners came in and squeezed life out of the hosts.The second game is at the same venue today.
Pakistan are the world’s number two ranked Twenty20 side.
“The only difference is the two quality spinners they have, which makes an extreme difference and made it difficult to keep up with eight or nine runs an over,” said Zimbabwe skipper Brendan Taylor.
“When you have wickets at hand you probably can have a go at them but it was very difficult out there I guarantee you, with Ajmal, Hafeez and Afridi bowling.
“They don’t give you much to score from and you have to invent shots that you are not used to playing.
“I think it was a much improved performance compared to India even though it is a different format, it was good to see some guys striking the ball well and we came certainly draw some positives form the match.
“I think we can move tomorrow with a clearer game plan and know what we are going to do next.”
Zimbabwe might have to bring in Sikander Raza in place of Timycen Maruma, today after the later was tied down by Pakistan, in a crucial period of the game, and lost his way.
Mountaineers’ Tendai Chatara was the star of Zimbabwe’s bowling as he ripped through the top order.
He struck early with his fifth ball after taking a beating for nine runs in the first four balls to remove Nasir Jamshed, caught at fine leg.
Chatara struck another heavy blow with the second ball of his second over, pitching a short ball which Pakistan skipper Mohammed Hafeez miscued on a cut shot into Brendan Taylor’s hands with the skipper taking a stunning catch.
Ahmed Shehzad signed off a quick fire 70 from 50 balls as he beat Elton Chigumbura to a pulp, 14 runs came off his first over and 10 more came from his second over despite a consolation wicket with 104 runs coming in the last 10 overs and the visitors posted a competitive 161 for five wickets.
In response Zimbabwean openers, Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda brought impetus and stability in their 53 run opening partnership which was broken after eight overs when Masakadza was trapped lbw.
After 10 overs, the hosts were graphically doing better than Pakistan at 64/1, unfortunately the innings required a more aggressive and less conservative approach as 9.8 was the required run rate.
Online Reporter