Zimbabwe v Pakistan 1st ODI Review: Yasir Shah demolishes Zimbabwe’s revival hopes

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Zimbabwe v Pakistan 1st ODI Review
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(© JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/Getty Images)

Zimbabwe v Pakistan 1st ODI Review: Yasir Shah demolishes Zimbabwe’s revival hopes: A great display of spin bowling from Yasir Shah helped Pakistan run over a dismal Zimbabwe who failed to resurrect their batting woes. The hosts eventually lost the game by a whopping 131 runs but the fate of the game looked sealed when the Harare track started to turn. Pakistan had managed a 250 plus total even after being in trouble at the start.

Earlier in the day Elton Chigumbura won the toss and surprisingly chose to field. Pakistan didn’t get off to the best of starts as Azhar Ali was run out in the 6th over. A lazy shot from Ahmed Shehzad meant they were soon 2 down. Hafeez chased a length delivery from Jongwe and paid the price.

The pair of Shoaib Malik and Sarfaraz now had the task of taking the tourists out of trouble. The run rate was pretty sedentary as Pakistan reached 68 at the end of 18 overs. Malik’s resistance came to an end when off spinner Nyumbu disturbed his bails with the score at 100. Sarfraz Ahmed was looking set to carry his side to a respectable total, until a moment of concentration lapse led to his exit for 44.

The two all-rounders Mohammad Rizwan and Imad Wasim did well to rebuild again as Pakistan reached 171 for five at the end of 40 overs. It is from here that the game took a decisive turn.

Mohammad Rizwan’s fighting half-century, his third in ODIs, came at a superb time. With his team in utter doldrums after a top-order collapse, Rizwan came to the rescue and made an unbeaten 75.

A particular feature of his brilliant 124 run stand with Wasim who made 61 was their running between the wickets; something which had been highlighted as an area of concern for both teams after the T20Is.

Pakistan added 88 runs in the last ten overs to take the side to a respectable 259/6 at the end of 50 overs. or the hosts, Tinashe Panyangara, Greame Creamer, John Nyumbu and Luke Jongwe picked up a wicket each.

Also Read – Twitter Reactions: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan, 1st ODI

Zimbabwean openers Brian Chari and Chamu Chibhabha started in an ultra-cautious mode in their chase of 260. They were finding it tough against Mohammad Irfan and Aamer Yamin and blocked a lot of deliveries. After a defiant half century Wasim returned to send Chibhabha back with the quicker one. Brian Chari was left clueless as Shah bowled him with a googly. Masakadza was done in by a quicker one by the leggie.

Sean Williams was looking in fine touch but fell for a loopy delivery by Shoaib Malik that hit the timber. Zimabwe were then on a familiar downhill spiral as Yasir Shah unleashed his skill. They had no idea and were looking like school kids caught in a compulsory class. Elton Chigumbura has been coming too late in the order and needs to address that issue. Shah eventually finished with 6 wickets and was awarded the Man of the Match.

So, Zimbabwe can’t get over 130 it seems. Didn’t do so in the T20s and again a very ordinary performance in the first ODI. Pakistan on the opposite will be delighted and hoping to whitewash the ODI series as well, and in more comprehensive fashion than they won the T20Is.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan – 259/6  (Rizwan 75*, Wasim 61; Nyumbu 1-39)

Zimbabwe – 128 (Williams 26, Chigumbura 22; Yasir Shah 6-26)

Pakistan won by 131 runs

Man of the Match – Yasir Shah

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