Kamran Ghulam’s maiden century, Abdullah Shafique’s solid half-century and bowling brilliance powered Pakistan to a comprehensive 99-run victory against Zimbabwe in third and final ODI at the Queen Sports Club in Bulawayo on Thursday.
PAKISTAN'S INNINGS
Opting to bat first, the Men in Green had posted a staggering 303-6 on the scorecard, with Ghulam and Shafique notched a ton and half-century respectively.
Saim Ayub was once again ensured to continue the momentum he gained back in the 2nd ODI with the magnificent century. He looked good for his 37-ball 31, clobbered three boundaries and one towering six, before he was removed by Faraz Akram.
Ghulam joined the wicket to ensure the flow of runs continued. He smashed 10 fours and four sixes in his 99-ball 103 before he was removed by Ngarava.
Rizwan was also looking to play a big innings, but it was Zimbabwe veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza Butt that once again got the breakthrough for his side. The Pakistan captain scored four boundaries and one six in his 47-ball 37.
Pakistan vice-captain Salman Agha could not convert the good start to the big innings and was undone by Ngarava on 26-ball 30.
Tayyab Tahir, who got finally got the opportunity to briefly enjoy the outing with the bat. Tahir plundered valuable runs with the bat of late, whacking four boundaries in his unbeaten 16-ball 29.
Blessing Muzarabani took a scalp of Irfan Khan Niazi, who could not show significant resistance with the bat, clobbering six boundaries.
Aamer Jamal remained unbeaten on 4-ball 5.
For Zimbabwe, Sikanda Raza Butt (2-47) and Richard Ngarava (2-55) picked up two wickets apiece.
Faraz Akram (1-63) and Blessing Muzarabani (1-66) took a scalp each.
Sean Williams (0-43) and Brian Bennett (0-27) could not managed to provide Zimbabwe with any breakthrough.
ZIMBABWE'S INNINGS
Chasing a mammoth 304-run target, Zimbabwe off to a shaky start with the bat. The wicket of opener Joylord Gumbie (5 off 9) started the slide and it went quickly downhill thereafter.
The highlight of Zimbabwe’s innings was their captain, Craig Ervine’s innings who raised his bat to the gallery with well-stitched 63-ball 51, lacing with five boundaries and one six. All-rounder Aamer Jamal took a scalp of Ervine.
Brian Bennett had also shown good resistance with the bat and went on to amass 27-ball 37, smashing four boundaries and two gigantic sixes, before he was removed by Abrar Ahmed.
Zimbabwe wicketkeeper batter Tadiwanashe Marumani and seasoned batter Sean Williams had compiled 24 runs each. Marumani smashed four boundaries, while Williams scored five boundaries and one six.
Clive Madande smashed 32-ball 20, studding with one boundary.
Veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza tried his level best to rebound Zimbabwe innings but Jamal’s delivery was more than enough to ensure that Raza made his way back to the pavilion by scoring merely 25-ball 16, picking up a boundary.
Richard Ngarava had also tried to flaunt his batting skills, but the “legends” of Haris Rauf was enough to get rid of the Zimbabwe fast bowler. He made his way back to the pavilion by scoring 16-ball 17, hitting two boundaries and one six.
Dion Myers could not show any resistance with the bat and was departed by scoring run-a-ball four.
Blessing Muzarabani remained unbeaten on 0 without facing any delivery.
For Pakistan, with the exception of Salman Ali Agha, all the bowlers had filled the wickets’ column. Saim Ayub (2-29), Abrar Ahmed (2-45), Haris Rauf (2-34) and Aamer Jamal (2-19) picked up two wickets apiece.
Faisal Akram (1-37) and Kamran Ghulam (1-7) took a scalp each.
Expressing his thoughts after clinching the ODI series, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan said: “It is a matter of immense delight to clinch a series following getting drubbed at the hands of Zimbabwe in the first ODI.”
“Bouncing back in the serious is definitely a booster for us,” he said.
Highlighting the challenges exist in the foreign conditions, Rizwan said: “The pitch conditions are quite different abroad.”
“I have told the boys to perform on all the conditions, irrespective of the different pitch conditions,” he said.
Pakistan’s next assignment will be the T20I series against Zimbabwe following which the Green Shirts will make their way to South Africa for the lengthy series.
Salman Agha will spearhead the T20I team.
