adminTinashe Kusema
Zimbabwe 276/6 (50.0 overs)
Pakistan 256/8 (48/48 overs, target 262)
(Zimbabwe won by 5 runs (D/L method)
FOR all the talk about Zimbabwe’s batting frailties, lack of mental strength and the need for new blood, one of the untold stories of Pakistan’s visit tour has to be the impact the Harare Sports Club pitch has had on proceedings. During the first three games of the tour, two Twenty20s and the first ODI, the hosts shot themselves in the foot by preparing a dry and hard surface which allowed turn and favoured the visitors’ potent spin attack.
With Zimbabwe’s well- documented trouble with spin, it’s hardly surprising that the Chevrons have struggled.
However, all that changed yesterday as the grounds men left a lot grass on the pitch, favouring a bit more pace, bounce and swing; all which played into Zimbabwe’s hands.
The result?
A five run victory under the ever controversial Duckworth Lewis method.
The three match ODI series is level at one all.
Pakistan won the toss, elected to bowl and Zimbabwe posted a defiant 276 for six in their allotted 50 overs.
Opener Chamunorwa Chibhabha was the soul of that innings as his 90 off 125 balls gave the hosts a bright start.
The 29-year-old also starred in two crucial partnerships, first a 90-run second wicket partnership with Brain Chari and then a 59-run fourth-wicket stand with skipper Elton Chigumbura (67).
With the exception of Hamilton Masakadza’s seven run contribution, Zimbabwe’s top order came up with handy contributions as the likes of Raza Sikander Butt (32) and Brian Chari (39) chipped in with vital knocks.
Butt’s 62-run fifth wicket stand with the skipper Chigumbura helped Zimbabwe reach a competitive total, while Chari’s second- wicket with Chibhabha gave the Chevrons’ the required solid start.
Pakistan’s bowlers toiled for wickets with Wahab Raiz’s four for 63 the biggest contribution, while Mohammad Irfan and Aamer Yamin chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Zimbabwe began their defence also on a high as Chibhabha and Tinashe Panyangara sliced through Pakistan’s top order.
Panyangara removed both openers cheaply, first forcing debutant Bilal Asif (0) to lob the ball to Chigumbura at mid wicket before bowling out Azhar Ali (1).
All this happened in his first two overs.
A run out by Tinotenda Mutombodzi (Muhammad Hafeez), a caught behind off the bowling of Luke Jongwe (Asad Shafiq) epitomised Zimbabwe’s dominance which left the visitors reeling at 76 for six.
That was until a 111-run seventh wicket partnership by Yamin (64) and Shoab Malik saw the visitors hit back.
Both men took the fight to Zimbabwe with Yamin making a half century, while Malik ended the match unbeaten on 96.
The partnership was eventually broken when Chigumbura had Yamin caught behind by Richmond Mutumbami.
He was at it again 11 balls later, when some neat field awareness saw him run out Riaz (3) and leave the game firmly in Zimbabwe’s control.
After the match, Pakistan skipper Ali paid tribute to the hosts.
“It was a lovely game, I think Malik and Yamin played a very good game and made us come back in the match. At one time it looked like a one-sided game but they did really well and made it into a contest.
“I think Zimbabwe played very well today and we could have restricted them to 250 but full credit to them for the way they finished their innings,” he said.
His counterpart and man of the match Chigumbura was all smiles.
“It’s a good feeling, I thought the middle order batters played well today. There was a lot of pressure on the team and the way we went out there today and played showed character,” he said.
The two teams meet again tomorrow for the third and final ODI.
Online Reporter