Zimbabwe Beats Pakistan by 80 Runs via DLS Method in Rain-Affected First ODI
ZIM vs PAK ODI Series: Zimbabwe pull off a stunning upset, defeating Pakistan by 80 runs via the DLS method. Taking a 1-0 lead in this three-match series.
Zimbabwe Beat Pakistan in 1st ODI: The first match of the Zimbabwe vs Pakistan 3-match ODI series was played on 24 November (Sunday) at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. In the first ODI match, Zimbabwe registered a spectacular victory by defeating Pakistan by 80 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. With this victory, Zimbabwe has taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. Due to rain in the match, the revised target was set at 141 runs, but the Pakistan team could score only 60/6 runs in 21 overs.
ZIM VS PAK 1st ODI Match Playing-11s
Zimbabwe: Sean Williams , Craig Ervine (c) , Sikandar Raza , Joylord Gumbie , Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Brian Bennett , Brandon Mavuta , Blessing Muzarabani , Richard Ngarava , Dion Myers , Trevor Gwandu.
Pakistan: Muhammad Rizwan (c) (wk), Saim Ayub , Abdullah Shafique , Kamran Ghulam , Haseebullah Khan , Salman Ali Agha , Mohammad Irfan Khan , Aamir Jamal , Haris Rauf , Mohammad Hasnain , Faisal Akram.
Batting first, Zimbabwe did not have a good start, but the middle and lower order batsmen took the team to a respectable score. Opener Tadiwanashe Marumani played a restrained innings of 29 runs, while Sikandar Raza scored 39 runs in 56 balls. In the end, Richard Nagarawa scored 48 runs in 52 balls to take the team to a score of 205 runs. Pakistan's bowlers bowled well. Faisal Akram and Salman Ali Agha took 3-3 wickets, while Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain also made important contributions.
The revised target of 141 runs did not seem difficult for Pakistan, but Zimbabwe's bowlers created pressure from the very first overs. Pakistan's top order batsmen kept getting out cheaply. Young talents like Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafiq could not live up to expectations. Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Rizwan tried to hold on for a while, but could not accelerate the run rate.
Blessing Muzarabani, Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza performed brilliantly in bowling for Zimbabwe. Muzarabani took 2 wickets for just 9 runs, while Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza also took 2 wickets each. Zimbabwe's accurate bowling and disciplined fielding did not give Pakistan any chance to score big.
Player of the Match: Sikandar Raza (ZIM)2/7 (3) & 39 (56).
