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ZIM vs PAK 1st ODI Highlights: Pakistan Humiliated As Zimbabwe Kick Off The Series With A Flyer

Aakash Saini

Zimbabwe players celebrating a wicket [Source: @ZimCricketv/x]Zimbabwe players celebrating a wicket [Source: @ZimCricketv/x]

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Zimbabwe recorded a rare victory over Pakistan to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. Senior man Sikandar Raza delivered a ‘Player of the Match’ performance with his all-round exhibition.

Here’s the timeline of how ZIM vs PAK panned out in Bulawayo:

ZIM vs PAK Highlights: Agha Salman, Haris Rauf Decimate ZIM Top-Order

Hosts Zimbabwe squandered away their confident top-order start by losing each of their top five batters in a space of less than 14 overs. After a mix-up and a direct hit from Abdullah Shafique curtailed Joylord Gumbie’s opening stay for 15 runs in the sixth over, spinner Agha Salman and in-form paceman Haris Rauf toppled fellow primary Zimbabwean batters as they slipped to 99-5 at one stage of the innings.

Rauf picked up the key wicket of Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine for just six while Salman entrapped Dion Myers, well-set opener Tadiwanashe Marumani and senior man Sean Williams to seize figures of 3-42.

ZIM vs PAK Highlights: Sikandar Raza, Ngarava Propel ZIM Innings With Late Surge

Aamer Jamal induced a nick off Brian Bennett and Faisal Akram removed Brandon Mavuta in successive overs as Zimbabwe’s troubles further worsened at 125-7 at the halfway stage. Fortunately for the hosts, middle-order stalwart Sikandar Raza and fast bowler Richard Ngarava fought back with a valuable 62-run partnership for the eighth wicket.

Ngarava ended up top-scoring in the innings with 48 from 52 balls as Zimbabwe inched closer towards the 200-run mark. Amidst a shifting momentum, Faisal Akram (3-24) picked up two wickets in four balls before a cleanup job from Mohammad Hasnain enveloped Zimbabwe for just 205 in 40.2 overs.

ZIM vs PAK Highlights: Pakistan Batters Lose Plot In A Rain-Marred Chase

Defending just 206 for a win, Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani jolted Pakistan early with the wickets of both openers, Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub. The ‘Men in Green’ never recovered from their early setback as the visitors also coped four more batting causalities, all at the hands of senior Zimbabwe spinners Sikandar Raza (2-7) and Sean Williams (2-12).

For Pakistan, captain Mohammad Rizwan remained unbeaten at 19* (43) to take his team to 60-6 in 21 overs before rains halted play at the Queen Sports Club in Bulawayo.

The hosts eventually sealed the game by 80 runs (DLS method) to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.