Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo, [email protected]
PAKISTAN dominated Zimbabwe in the second one-day international (ODI), securing a commanding 10-wicket victory at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.
The three-match ODI series is now tied at 1-1, making the third and final match tomorrow all the more crucial.
From the outset, Pakistan displayed more intensity and skill in both their batting and bowling, having been asked to field first by the Chevrons.
The spinners, led by debutant Abrar Ahmed, excelled, bowling out the hosts for just 145 runs in 32,3 overs.
Pakistan’s opening partnership of Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique comfortably chased down the target in just 19 overs.
Despite losing nine wickets to spin in their batting innings, Zimbabwe only introduced their slow bowlers after 10 overs, with Sikandar Raza coming in to bowl the 11th.
Craig Ervine, the Chevrons’ captain, lamented that their strike bowlers, Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava, were unable to provide an early breakthrough.
“Richard and Blessing have been our strike bowlers for a long time but there wasn’t as much turn as there was in the game on Sunday. We thought that our best chance to strike early was with seam,” said Ervine.
He also lamented their poor batting display in the two games.
“Our batting was poor in both games. In the first game, Richard batted exceptionally well to get us to 205. We didn’t have any partnerships today. We had a few guys getting in but not continuing, getting 20s and 30s but you can never put a good score on the board unless someone bats deep. That’s something we need to look at and hopefully, we can apply ourselves a little bit better on Thursday,” said Ervine.
Ahmed said he was ready for the challenge in his first one-day match for Pakistan.
“My captain told me that I was going to bowl with the new ball and was ready and prepared. We were well briefed and I aimed to take the maximum as I did in my T20I and Test debuts,” said Ahmed.
Zimbabwe’s opening batsman, Tadiwanashe Marumani fell victim to an unnecessary run-out, courtesy of a miscommunication with fellow opener, Joylord Gumbie.
This early setback left Zimbabwe on 6/1 after 1,3 overs and unfortunately, no significant partnerships could be developed.
The top scorers for Zimbabwe were Dion Myers with 33 runs off 30 deliveries and Sean Williams with 31 runs off 39 balls.
Ervine and Sikandar Raza also contributed with 18 and 17 runs respectively.
Pakistan’s leg-spinner Ahmed put in an impressive performance with figures of 4/33 in eight overs, while Salman Agha also took three wickets for 26 runs in seven overs. Faisal Akram and Saim Ayub each chipped in with one wicket, and the other wicket came from a run-out.
Pakistan’s batsmen faced no significant challenges from Zimbabwe’s bowlers as Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique scored with ease.
Ayub played a phenomenal innings, scoring 113 runs off just 62 balls and hitting 17 fours and three sixes. Shafique played a more cautious innings for his 32 runs off 48 deliveries, hitting four fours. Ayub was named Player of the Match for his outstanding century.
The series decider will take place at the same venue tomorrow, with both teams eager for a win.
Zimbabwe will be looking to secure their first ODI series win over Pakistan, while the visitors hope to maintain their impressive overseas form, having recently defeated Australia about two weeks ago. — @brandon_malvin
Online Reporter