Zimbabwe performed exceedingly well in the 1st ODI by defeating Pakistan by a DLS method of 80 runs. Rain intervened the run chase for Pakistan but they were in a very tricky position at 60-6 in 21 overs while chasing 206 runs with Mohammad Rizwan, the only recognized batter being present. Sikandar Raza once again dazzled against Pakistan and this time in ODI format. Sikandar Raza is slowly become
Pakistan didn’t have the services of Shaheen Shah Afridi & Babar Azam who were rested for Zimbabwe’s white ball leg. Babar Azam’s absence was quite astonishing as he could have got amongst big runs and has a stellar record against Zimbabwe.
Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava To The Rescue With The Bat
The positive authority that Zimbabwe’s openers displayed during the first powerplay stood in stark contrast to this. When Marumani and Joylord Gumbie got the hosts off to a fast start in the morning, any worries about bowling domination were promptly allayed, with Aamer Jamal’s errant lines receiving special treatment.
Gumbie left after a mix-up between the two and a direct hit from Shafique, and Zimbabwe’s grip on the innings started to wane. Salman, who appeared dangerous from the start, tricked Dion Myers by hiding in cow corner during the flight, and Craig Ervine was defeated by Haris Rauf’s increased speed.
Williams and Brian Bennett’s cameos were insufficient to stop Zimbabwe from falling to 125 for 7, and Pakistan found themselves comfortably ahead as the hosts dropped wickets at regular intervals. For Zimbabwe to manage a competitive total, Sikander Raza and Richard Ngarava put up an implausible 62-run partnership. Sikandar Raza (39) and left-handed tailender Richard Ngarava (48) put on 62 runs for the eighth wicket to help Zimbabwe to 205 before they were bowled out with nine overs left.
Given that Muzarabani typically does well against Pakistan and that the skies are getting darker by the minute, these circumstances were ideal for him. Abdullah Shafique was out of form, but it didn’t take much magic to get rid of him because he squeezed the fifth ball he faced through to the keeper. Soon after, Zimbabwe took the early wickets typically needed to make a small target appear formidable, and Saim Ayub was removed by sideways movement.
However, the degree of turn the surface was taking was the game’s narrative. The worry when Zimbabwe lost the toss was whether they could hold up against Pakistan’s renowned speed attack in cloudy conditions, but the bigger threat came from Salman Agha and Ayub’s part-time spin. The three disciplined, frugal finger spinners Zimbabwe had were ideal for choking Pakistan, and once they got going, Pakistan’s movement became more and more laborious.
Sikandar Raza Helped To Bundle Out Pakistan
While Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams were working Pakistan over and watching them crumble under the pressure they applied, captain Craig Ervine never even had a chance to bowl. Williams drove Kamran Ghulam to nick through to wicketkeeper Tadiwanashe Marumani as he came around the wicket to the right-handers, and Sikander Raza’s twin blow quickly removed debutant Haseebullah Khan and Salman. Sikander Raza’s skill was evident when he dismissed Hasebullah, drifting it in from behind the wicket before getting it to hold and turn away to bang off stump. The former needed some luck and was uncertain if he had been able to get a foot behind the line.
Zimbabwe’s top objective was to get 20 overs in to secure a result, but the groundstaff was becoming agitated. However, just before that time, Irfan Khan played all around a delivery and saw his bails fly, as Williams delivered another body punch to Pakistan. Although Williams had also dared to flirt with the front line, the umpire decided in his favor.
In a banana skin of an opening match, Pakistan appeared to have stopped the slide, but the signs of their error were only just starting to appear. Rain may not have been necessary for Zimbabwe to defeat Pakistan, but Bulawayo and Zimbabwean cricket would eagerly welcome the blessing.