adminLAHORE. — Rain had the final say in the three-match ODI cricket series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe, as the final match ended in a no result at Gaddafi Stadium yesterday.
Pakistan therefore take the series 2-0, an agonising result for the hosts who needed a 3-0 win to maintain their ranking to qualify for the Champions Trophy.
Play was halted for 50 minutes before Zimbabwe were set a revised target of 281 in 46 overs but rain stopped play again only after one over of play.
Zimbabwe were 62-0 after eight overs after set a target of 297 set by Pakistan, who won the toss and decided to bat.
The visitors added another eight runs in the one over play made possible before the match was stopped again.
Chamu Chibhabha was on 36 and Vusi Sibanda had 25 when play was interrupted.
Earlier, Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza took three wickets as the visitors restricted Pakistan to 296 for nine.
Pakistan, leading the series 2-0, were given a dream start by Mohammad Hafeez (86) and Azhar Ali (46) during their 115-run stand for the opening wicket after they won the toss and opted to bat.
Debutant Babar Azam chipped in with a 60-ball 54.
For Zimbabwe off-spinner Sikander Raza took a career best 3-59.
Pakistan, who hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, brought in opener Babar Azam and paceman Junaid Khan in place of Haris Sohail and Mohammad Sami.
The 20-year-old Babar is making his debut. Zimbabwe also made two changes with Brian Vitori and Tawanda Mupariwa making way for Roy Kaia (playing his first one-day) and Chris Mpofu.
Zimbabwe became the first Test team to tour Pakistan since terrorists attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009 suspended international cricket in the country.
Zimbabwe continued with the tour despite Friday’s blast which police said was due to a cylinder explosion but federal information minister Pervez Rashid confirmed it was a failed suicide attack.
That prompted the organisers to increase the police presence from 6 000 to 10 000.
Meanwhile, a top Zimbabwe cricket official yesterday expressed delight in contributing to the revival of international cricket in Pakistan after a six-year hiatus, hoping it will open more doors for their hosts.
Zimbabwe became the first Test team to tour Pakistan since terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009, suspending all international cricket in the country.
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) managing director Alistair Campbell said his country decided to play two Twenty20 and three one-day internationals after their intelligence work.
“I am glad that we have been able to make a small part in trying to get Pakistan cricket back on track,” Campbell told media on the sidelines of third and final one-day international in Lahore.
“We did our due intelligence work, there were guys who said that ‘how can you go?’ And that ‘you are putting lives of the players at risk’ but we assessed the security and we were sure it will be a successful and safe tour.”
Pakistan deployed 6 000 policemen, beefed up to 10 000 after Tuesday’s explosion of a gas cylinder, with thorough check-ups of the fans at various points.
Campbell (42) said perceptions about Pakistan will change after the successful series.
“I am sure this tour will open more doors and change the perceptions about Pakistan,” said Campbell who played 60 Tests and 188 one-day internationals for Zimbabwe besides leading them.
Campbell admitted it was a tough decision to travel to Pakistan after a deadly bus attack which left 45 people killed a week before the team’s arrival.
“It was a tough and topsy turvy thing. Pakistan invited us in good faith and they have done and taken all the necessary security precautions, beefed up the security better than they provided before.” -AFP.
Online Reporter