Pakistan cricket team made a staggering comeback against Zimbabwe in the 2nd ODI match which was played at the same venue Bulawayo. The Men in Green chased down the paltry target of 146 runs in just 18.2 overs and with no wickets lost. Saim Ayub got to his maiden ton in just 53 balls as he was whacking the bowlers all around the park.
Zimbabwe would be flabbergasted with their batters’ performance who looked in all sorts of trouble. Zimbabwe had a golden chance of winning the ODI series today itself after a splendid performance in 1st ODI. Zimbabwe had won the opening ODI by DLS method by 80 runs as rain had internvened but they had put Pakistan in a precarious position at 60-6 in 21 overs while chasing 206 runs.
Abrar Ahmed & Salman Agha Fox Zimbabwe batters
The skipper Craig Ervine earlier had won the toss & elected to bat first and was quite hopeful that the pitch would assist spinners during the run chase. Pakistan had included the spinners Abrar Ahmed & Tayyab Tahir (*batting all-rounder) in the playing 11 given the surface would become a rank.
Zimbabwe had a steady power play as they scored 51 runs in the powerplay overs for the loss of 2 wickets. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan didn’t waste any time and had introduced spin in the powerplay overs which got Pakistan a key wicket of Joylord Gumbie. Agha Salman, the part-time spinner was getting a sharp turn from the surface and took 3 scalps of Dion Myers, Craig Ervice & Sikandar Raza.
The senior veteran batters Sean Williams, Craig Ervine & Sikandar Raza were outdone by the spin duo of Salman Agha & Abrar Ahmed. The dismissal of Sikandar Raza in the 21st over was quite perplexing as before he got out on 20.2 over by giving a catch at mid-off, he had hit a straight six down the track on the bowling of Agh Salman. Raza got out on 17 runs in 17 balls and had hit 2 huge sixes.
Rizwan made Haris Rauf & Aamer Jamal bowl only 4 overs each as the wicket wasn’t offering any assistance for the pacers. Not a single Zimbabwe batter scored 35 runs and they weren’t able to read the deliveries due to which the batting unit collapsed like a pack of cards. From 61-2, Zimbabwe lost 8 wickets for 84 runs and were bundled out for 145 in 32.3 overs as there was still a lot of time in the match.
Abrad Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers who not only took a 4 wicket haul but bowled 2 maiden overs which created a lot of pressure & questions in batters’ mind regarding their shot selection as well as surface. Agha Salman came out of syllabus for Zimbabwe as his speed variations bamboozled the batters as he took 3 wickets and gave away 26 runs in his 7 over spell.
Saim Ayub & Abdullah Shafique decimate Zimbabwe’s Bowling Unit
Saim Ayub & Abdullah Shafique were a bit watchful during the initial overs of the run chase. The openers made sure that they quickly break down the run chase of 146 runs and not give any chances for the hosts. Saim Ayub when he got his eye in, there was no bowler to stop the flurry of boundaries. In 1st 10 overs, Pakistan scored 71 runs and were unscathed.
Skipper Craig Ervine made a mistake by not making a spinner bowl from other end due to which Pakistan’s openers got used to the surface. Abdullah Shafique was quite happy to play the role of anchor and scored 32 runs in 48 balls and made sure that Saim Ayub is getting maximum strike as he was hitting the ball cleanly.
Saim Ayub showed some glimpses of the legendary Australian batter Adam Gilchrist in his shots. Saim Ayub would be delighted after having played a match-winning knock of 113 runs in 62 balls where he hit 17 fours and 3 sixes. Sikandar Raza’s mystery deliveries weren’t a threat for Pakistan’s openers and the game was wrapped up in 18.2 overs.
What lies ahead for Zimbabwe & Pakistan
Zimbabwe need to quickly regroup after a forgettable performance in the 2nd ODI match. The 3rd ODI which is on 28th November is at the same venue and the conditions would be quite similar. It won’t be a bad idea to make Sikandar Raza bat at no.3 position if the spinners are operating, no doubt he got out while playing a lofted shot at mid off but he can provide stability in the middle overs. Zimbabwe utmostly need to play out the entire 50 overs as they haven’t done in the first 2 ODIs. Any score 230 would be challenging given the hosts have quality spin attack in form of Sean Williams & Sikandar Raza.
Pakistan on the other hand would be quite relieved that they avoided an ODI series defeat against Zimbabwe in 2nd ODI match. Pakistan hasn’t lost a single ODI series against Zimbabwe and for that to continue, they need to put a similar performance in the decider. It is often said Pakistan are unpredictable and we witnessed it but Rizwan would be well aware of the fact that their middle order is a bit fragile and they are too much dependent on Saim Ayub & Abdullah Shafique to get big runs on board. Pakistan undoubtedly are favorites to win ODI series on 28th November but a victory for Zimbabwe would bring back the joy for the nation.
Also Read: ZIM vs PAK : Can Zimbabwe Spring Another Surprise Against Pakistan In 3 Match ODI Series