"Zimbabwe Shocks New-Look Pakistan in Rain-Interrupted ODI"

 

All-rounder Sikandar Raza led Zimbabwe to a remarkable 80-run victory using the DLS method in a rain-affected first ODI against a revamped Pakistan side.

Raza played a key role with the bat, scoring 39 runs on Sunday and helping Zimbabwe recover from a difficult position of 7-125 to finish at 205 all out. He shared a vital 62-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Richard Ngarava, who top-scored with 48.

In overcast conditions, Raza also made his mark with the ball, taking 2 wickets for 7 runs in a single over as Pakistan struggled at 6-60 after 21 overs. The rain ultimately halted further play, giving Zimbabwe a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Pakistan’s second-string pace attack, featuring debutant Aamer Jamal and Mohammad Hasnain, failed to make an impact on Zimbabwe's openers, with the visitors opting to rest their main pacers, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, for the series.

Pakistan rested star batter Babar Azam for the first time in an ODI since 2019 as they tested new combinations ahead of next year's Champions Trophy.

Zimbabwe's openers, Tadiwanashe Marumani (29) and Joylord Gumbie (15), put up a solid 40-run stand against a wayward Pakistan attack. Marumani launched a six off debutant Aamer Jamal, while Gumbie struck three fours against the seamers. However, Gumbie was run out in a mix-up with Marumani in the sixth over, and Pakistan fought back with their spinners.

Faisal Akram, one of three debutants for Pakistan, impressed with 3-24, while vice-captain Salman Ali Agha claimed 3-42 as Zimbabwe crumbled to 7-125 in the 26th over. But Ngarava and Raza steadied the innings with a crucial 69-ball partnership. Raza eventually fell when he attempted a big hit off Akram and was caught on the boundary, while Ngarava was dismissed as the last wicket after striking five fours and a six, when he chopped a delivery from Mohammad Hasnain onto his stumps.

Pakistan's chase got off to a disastrous start with fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani exploiting the home conditions perfectly. He removed Saim Ayub (11) and Abdullah Shafique (1) inside the first three overs, both caught behind. Kamran Ghulam (17) and captain Mohammad Rizwan (19 not out) struggled to build any momentum before Pakistan lost four wickets for just 18 runs against the spinners.

Ghulam tried to break the shackles, but Sean Williams (2-12) had him caught behind, and Raza quickly added two wickets in three balls. He trapped Salman Ali Agha lbw and then dismissed Haseebullah Khan for a duck on his ODI debut, leaving Pakistan reeling.

The three-match ODI series will be followed by three T20s, with all matches scheduled to take place in Bulawayo.

Australian Associated Press