Twitter Reactions: Pakistan walk through Zimbabwe in a 201-run victory

Though the Pakistan cricket team is ranked No.6 in ODI cricket and Zimbabwe 10, the different between the two teams is more evident than that. After a series of ordinary performances in the T20I tri-series, the home team took guard against a rampant Pakistan side in the first ODI at Bulawayo and it was a sorry story.

Zimbabwean skipper Hamilton Masakadza won the toss and decided to bat first. Not a lot of people could even predict the XI he will field given the absence of their five most prominent players along with Kyle Jarvis and Solomon Mire who are out with injury. Masakadza won the toss and that was the only time he could force Pakistan into something. He asked the visitors to bat first on a good batting wicket at the Queens Sports Club.

Both the openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq relished the opportunity with a paltry attack to deal with. They shared a 113-run opening stand before Zaman handed Liam Roche a return catch in the 25th over after scoring 60. Imam, on the other hand, converted the start he got into a big total. He capitalized on the fact that scoring rate wasn’t really relevant since their bowling was capable of dismissing Zimbabwe without them getting anywhere near the target.

He took all the time in the world and scored a run-a-ball hundred. Babar Azam contributed 30 and Asif Ali added 46 runs to his team’s total. Imam was dismissed late in the innings after scoring 128 runs and in the end, Pakistan concluded with 308/7 in 50 overs.

In their response, Zimbabwe were on a different plain. Only three batsmen scored more than 20 runs and only one of them got more than 30. All the resources Sarfraz Ahmed deployed apart from Shoaib Malik returned with wickets. The best bowler was leg-spinner Shadab Khan who bagged 4.

There is literally nothing to talk about Zimbabwe batting as they were wrapped up for 107 in 35 overs and lost the match by a huge 201-run margin.

Here is how the Pakistan fans reacted to their amazing victory:

Well played team 👏👏
Congratulations to @ImamUlHaq12 & @FakharZamanLive on brilliant innings our bowling was on top as always keep it up boys 💪#PAKvsZIM

— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) July 13, 2018

Gotta ask. Why do you need your full strength team against one like this handicapped zimbabwe side..
Need to learn from India, this is a chance to groom youngsters and potential future captains.#PAKvsZIM #ZIMvPAK

— Shawaz Lodhi (@Shawaz_Lodhi) July 13, 2018

Shadab Khan's 4-32 are his best bowling figures in ODIs #ZIMvPAK #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) July 13, 2018

Zimbabwe reach 101/8 – scoreboard operator decides to have a laugh and change the score to 401/8 #ZIMvPAK #Cricket pic.twitter.com/72QteHdk62

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) July 13, 2018

Sarfaraz Ahmed to Shadab Khan "Achay ball kar meri jaan" #ZIMvPAK #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) July 13, 2018

Pakistan's biggest ODI wins (by runs):

255 runs vs Ireland on 18 Aug 2016,
233 runs vs Bangladesh on 2 Jun 2000,
217 runs vs Sri Lanka on 17 Apr 2002,
205 runs vs Kenya on 23 Feb 2011,
201 runs vs Zimbabwe today.#ZIMvPAK #PAKvZIM #CricketStats

— Shahzad Tirmizi Syed (@shahzadtirmizi) July 13, 2018

Pakistan beats Zimbabwe by 201 runs & lead the five match series by 1-0. Its Pakistan's first ODI win in the year 2018 in 6 games. #ZIMvPAK

— Ahmad ™🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadhaseeb) July 13, 2018

Congratulations Pakistan #ZIMvPAK #PakistanZindabad pic.twitter.com/Pn9bPmEkO3

— Selfish Saqib (@SelfishSaqib) July 13, 2018

If Zimbabwe Cricket Team kept giving poor performances, there'll be a collapse in th interest of their fans too.🇿🇼 Their local Sponsors have already backed off from investing in their home series. It would also result into more financial crisis for th board.🏏 #ZIMvPAK #cricket

— CRICKET RECORDS (@cricket_guru5) July 13, 2018

#ZIMvPAK pic.twitter.com/jvsdVumek8

— PTV Sports📺 (@PTVSportts) July 13, 2018

#ZIMvPAK Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 201 runs.

– 🇵🇰's 5th largest victory in terms of Runs.
– 🇿🇼's Lowest Total at Bulawayo.
– Shadab Khan ends with Career best Figure of 4-32.
– Next ODI on 16 July.#PAKvZIM #ZIMvPAK pic.twitter.com/Ag1gr7JPYg

— Selfish Saqib (@SelfishSaqib) July 13, 2018

Pakistanis are playing nicely. Everyone knows they are best. I think they should give a chance to Junaid khan and Yasir shah #ZIMvPAK

— Junaid Ahmed (@junaid12356) July 13, 2018

Ryan Murray looks a decent player for Zimbabwe, looking solid and remaining unbeaten (32*) on debut, but a complete performance from Pakistan with bat and ball. Not really tested in the field. Imam-ul-Haq the 8th player with 100s in first 5 ODIs #ZIMvPAK

— Daniel Beswick (@DGBeswick1) July 13, 2018

Pakistan won the match by 201 Runs. This is Pakistan's 5th Highest Victory in ODIs in term of Runs.#PakvZim #ZimvPak pic.twitter.com/XQG0T0v0Of

— Ahsan. 🇵🇰 (@imPakistaniLAD) July 13, 2018

Pakistan take a 1-0 lead in the 5-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. #ZIMvPAK pic.twitter.com/LOc4llQ5Pj

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) July 13, 2018