Zimbabwe ‘A’ struggles against Pakistan ‘A’ on day one

ZIMBABWE ‘A’ cricket team were made to toil by Pakistan ‘A’ side as the visitors ended day one of the first four-day match on 352/2 at Kwekwe Sports Club yesterday.

After a delayed start due to a wet outfield, Zimbabwe ‘A’ won the toss and elected to field first and the bowlers had a difficult time in the middle of the park courtesy of two brilliant centuries from Mohammad Huraira and Omair Bin Yousuf. Only 73 overs were played yesterday due to the delay.

After a good start with Faraz Akram taking the wicket of Pakistan ‘A’ captain Imran Butt for three runs off seven balls, Huraira and Yousuf put up a 339 runs second wicket partnership before the former fell for 178 runs after facing 188 balls, off the bowling of Victor Nyauchi late on day one.

Yousuf remained undefeated on 161 runs from 232 deliveries at stumps as Pakistan Shaheens took charge of the match.
Yousuf was with Kamran Ghulam who finished the day on five runs from 14 balls at the end of day’s play.

Nyauchi bowled 14 overs, giving away 48 runs while Akram bowled seven overs and conceded 47 runs. Leg spinner was the most expensive bowler for Zimbabwe after he was hit for 69 runs in his 12 overs.

Zimbabwe will be looking at bouncing back with the ball when they take back to the field this morning for the second day of the match.

After the completion of the first match, the second four-day game is scheduled to take place from 10-13 May in Mutare before action moves to Harare for the 50-over series pitting a Zimbabwe Select team against the tourists, with the first encounter pencilled in for Takashinga Cricket Club on May 17.

The rest of the matches will then be played at Harare Sports Club on May 19, 21, 23, 25 and 27 to round off a busy first five months of international cricket for Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe is using the series as part of their preparations for the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023.

The 10-team global event is set to take place from 18 June to 9 July 2023 in Harare and Bulawayo and the series against Pakistan ‘A’ will be Zimbabwe’s last ahead of the crunch qualifiers.
Play resumes at 0930hrs for the second day. — @brandon_malvin