60/6 (21.0)
CR : 2.86
205/10 (40.2)
CR : 5.08
Zimbabwe won by 80 runs (DLS METHOD) 🏆
Player of the Match
Sikandar Raza
2/739(56)
ZIM won by 80 runs (DLS METHOD)
7:55 PM IST, 4:25 PM Local Time: The match has been officially called off as the rain refuses to ease. With Pakistan well behind the DLS par score, Zimbabwe have been declared winners by 80 runs (DLS method), taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. This is Zimbabwe's only 6th win in ODI's against Pakistan!
Pakistan's batting remains a concern, as another underwhelming performance cost them the game. They never looked in control during the chase, and despite the rain cutting the match short, the outcome was already tilting heavily in Zimbabwe's favor.
Earlier in the game, Zimbabwe got off to a cautious start with Joylord Gumbie (15) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (29). However, a mix-up led to Gumbie being run out at 40/1 in 5.5 overs. Pakistan capitalized, taking quick wickets and reducing Zimbabwe to 99/5 by the 20th over. Dion Myers (8), Craig Ervine (6), Sean Williams (23), and Brian Bennett (20) failed to make significant contributions.
Sikandar Raza (39) and Richard Ngarava (48) staged a late fightback with a 60-run partnership for the 8th wicket. Despite their efforts, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 205 in 40.2 overs. Faisal Akram and Agha Salman took three wickets each, while Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Hasnain, and Haris Rauf chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Chasing a modest target of 206, Pakistan stumbled early, with openers Saim Ayub (11) and Abdullah Shafique (1) failing to provide a solid start. The top order looked out of sorts, and the pressure mounted quickly. Kamran Ghulam (17) and skipper Mohammad Rizwan tried to stabilize the innings with a 23-run stand for the third wicket, but Ghulam’s departure triggered a collapse.
Pakistan lost wickets in quick succession, leaving Rizwan stranded without support. By the 21st over, they were in deep trouble at 60/6. From a bowling point of view, Blessing Muzarabani, Sean Williams, and Sikandar Raza scalped a wicket each for Zimbabwe.
As dark clouds loomed, heavy rain interrupted play, and with Pakistan trailing the DLS par score by 81 runs, the match was eventually abandoned. Zimbabwe were declared winners by 80 runs under the DLS method.
Stay tuned for the post-match presentation ceremony!
As dark clouds loomed, heavy rain interrupted play, and with Pakistan trailing the DLS par score by 81 runs, the match was eventually abandoned. Zimbabwe were declared winners by 80 runs under the DLS method.
Stay tuned for the post-match presentation ceremony!
Time for the post match presentation ceremony!
Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan Captain): " I think the day was not good for us, somewhere we leaked many runs, and Sikandar Raza played really well. Yeah, the overcast conditions were the reason to bowl first. We didn't bowl first. We have many new bowlers so it's important to give them rest and bring in the spinner. Zimbabwe bowlers are very experienced bowlers, they can put you under pressure in any conditions, like Muzarabani and Ngarava they bowled really well."
Player of the Match: Sikandar Raza
Sikandar Raza (Player of the match): "It's really a good feeling to contribute to the team. Somebody had to bat out of their skin and its nice to have gotten over the line. The top 4 batters showed the intent which was important for us. In international cricket, we need to dig in deep and play well. It was Ngarava who kept me saying, you can trust me. When we started hitting a few boundaries that gave me some confidence. It's a daunting task of being an All-rounder, it takes a loads of toll on the body. But when it comes to the country we need to do it."
Sikandar Raza displayed a heartwarming gesture by donating his Player of the Match award, which was worth USD 300, to a young girl who is a cancer survivor. A truly touching moment from the cricketer😍.
Craig Ervine (Zimbabwe Captain): "I am feeling really good. We were looking to bowl first but in the end, it didn't matter. It was a good day for us overall, with the bat and with the ball. The only thing that didn't go well for us is we failed to bat whole 50 overs but we were always up with the run-rate. Pacers gave us a good start with the ball and then spinners chipped in pretty well to scalp wickets in middle overs."
That brings to an end of the coverage of this encounter. For now, it’s me Hitesh Peddurwar signing off along with my co-commentator Deepak Prakash our scorer/analyst Raju Khariya.