Zimbabwe vs Pakistan | 3rd ODI | Bulawayo | July 18, 2018 | Zimbabwe Innings

[giri26]

Overview
Zimbabwe v Pakistan
Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
3rd ODI
Wednesday 18 July, 09:15 local, 07:15 GMT

It’s largely been one-way traffic in the two ODIs so far. Pakistan have dominated proceedings, and even when in the first ODI Zimbabwe fought hard with the ball, Pakistan got to 308/7 batting first without really looking like they were on top.

Losses by 201 runs and nine wickets must hurt Zimbabwe, who have tried to lift their game despite the absence of a host of their first-choice players for one reason or another, but they just haven’t been able to put together a strong performance.

“We have a lot of inexperienced guys, so it’s an opportunity to blood the new guys, give them a go and have them get the feel of what playing at the highest level is like,” said Hamilton Masakadza, captain of the side, before the series, adding that it was the start of the journey to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 for Zimbabwe.

That is a positive approach, but with the losses piling up, morale can’t be at its best in the camp. The stars are missing, and while Ryan Murray, Peter Moor, Tarisai Musakanda and Masakadza himself have shown glimpses of positivity with the bat and Blessing Muzarabani, especially, held his own with ball in hand, they just haven’t been able to stop the rampaging Pakistanis.

Pakistan are No.4 in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings, while Zimbabwe are No.11, and that has shown in the two games so far.

The architects of the two wins have been the opening batsmen, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq. Imam led the way with a 134-ball 128, while Zaman scored 60 in 70 balls in the first game. Then, Zaman took care of the chase in the second ODI, smashing 117* in 129 balls while Imam made 44 in 51 to take Pakistan past Zimbabwe’s 194 in just 36 overs.

In the opener, Babar Azam and new boy Asif Ali also chipped in with runs, and the bowlers, led by Usman Shinwari (4/36) and Hasan Ali (3/32), were clinical in the second.

There don’t appear to be major chinks in the Pakistan armoury, and Sarfraz Ahmed will back his boys to roll on. The onus is on Zimbabwe to lift their game.

Key players

Hamilton Masakadza (Zimbabwe): In an inexperienced side, the captain’s record of 195 ODI appearances stands out, as does his tally of 5421 runs, second only to Taylor among active players and fourth on Zimbabwe’s all-time list. He has the experience and the ability, and now the responsibility, to do well.

Usman Shinwari (Pakistan): He is one of the new products in the assembly line of top-notch pacers Pakistan are renowned for, and has done exceedingly well in his short international career so far, picking up 12 wickets in four ODIs. Six of them have come in Bulawayo, 2/21 and 4/36 in the two games. And four of them have been top-three wickets. Zimbabwe have to survive his charge at the top.

Conditions

It’s cool and cloudy in Bulawayo, and should stay that way on match day. If things don’t change too much, there are runs to be scored, as Zaman and Imam have shown. The conditions are extremely good for ODI cricket, and it’s up to the home boys to exploit them.

Squad

Zimbabwe: Hamilton Masakadza (c), Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Ryan Murray, Peter Moor, Tarisai Musakanda, Blessing Muzarabani, Liam Nicholas Roche, Malcolm Waller, Brian Chari, Chamu Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Tendai Chatara, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Donald Tiripano

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Babar Azam, Asif Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan, Usman Khan, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Haris Sohail

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/786369

[Oligochaetes]

I hope to see Pakistan bat first and Fakhar score a 200

[RehanG]

Can they call off rest of the series after today’s match?... it’s plain pain watching this Zimbabwe team play.

Pak should bat first and score 350+

[Arham_PakFan]

Zimbabwe win the toss and elect to bat first.

[Abdul]

Zimbabwe win the toss and elect to bat first.

Welp.

[Da_Future_Knick]

Great, Zimbabwe batting again. What a joke

[shaaik]

I hope to see Pakistan bat first and Fakhar score a 200

Wish granted ....

[AssassinatedDevil]

Zimbabwe trying really hard to keep Fakhar away from scoring fastest double ton in history.

[Josh]

Zimbabwe win the toss and elect to bat first.

They want to deny batsmen of easy hundreds but will not be able to stop bowlers from bettering their averages.

[Josh]

Zimbabwe trying really hard to keep Fakhar away from scoring fastest double ton in history.

Not the best condition for batting here, even though Zimbabwe is ultra minnow.

[dauntless]

oh yaar. chalo koi ni. Let them score 250.

[On_the_up]

How many tosses has Sarfaraz lost recently? Seems a lot.

[dauntless]

junaid khan yasir shah and usman khan in the same team. Oh god!!

[AssassinatedDevil]

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[Shafi]

Yasir is back mean another step backward!! PCB will never learn. He may perform well against Zimbabwe but will fail miserably in World Cup!!!!

[Shafi]

Hopefully Yasir will be sent to cleaner by Zimbabwe batsmen. Pathetic LOI bowler

[Square Drive]

Let's see if Junaid can get to 100 ODI wickets today. Needs 3 more scalps.

[pakistani pride]

Can they call off rest of the series after today’s match?... it’s plain pain watching this Zimbabwe team play.

Pak should bat first and score 350+

Wie verplicht je om te kijken?

[pakistani pride]

junaid khan yasir shah and usman khan in the same team. Oh god!!

Umm dont know about the other 2 but Usman is one of the most exciting youngsters in cricket today. Did you see him bowl?

[mak36]

When will minnows learn not to bat first.

Just ask India :p.

[Shafi]

If Zunaid perform well then it will create pressure to Amir to perform. If Amir fail then he either warm the bench or will be dropped

[mak36]

Interested to see how Yasir goes.

[babajee]

Junaid “Gun barrel” Khan swung the ball

[Asif321]

Usman won’t let Junaid start in playing XI

[mak36]

Usman gets the ball to straighten and picks up a wicket.

[imshally81]

Shinwari strikes....

[mak36]

@Abdullah719

If Zimbabwe post less than 200, will Ramiz be disappointed if one of the Pakistani batsmen doesn't score a double century?

[Oligochaetes]

Usman SHinwari, bowling average 10.23 bwahahahaha! amazing

[Madplayer]

What the heck yaar! Again Zimbabwe batting first

Really hope Pakistan bowls part timers for 30 overs so that they score 250 somehow. This is highly disappointing.

[Deewana Mastana]

Why Zimbabwe keep embarrassing themselves by batting first and scoring under 200?

[imshally81]

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Why Nawaz in ODI squad.. should be Asghar or zafar gohar ....

[Usman Chadda]

Zimbabwe's best chance is to somehow restrict Pakistan to a low score and then chase. Why on earth are they batting first?!

[Madplayer]

Why Zimbabwe keep embarrassing themselves by batting first and scoring under 200?

I think they just want to disappoint Pakistani fans by hook or by crook. They cant do it by competing well so they do it by batting first. Clever Chibabhas and chigumburas.

[mak36]

Zimbabwe's best chance is to somehow restrict Pakistan to a low score and then chase. Why on earth are they batting first?!

Best bowling conditions are in the morning which makes their decision odd.

It could be they want to try and negate the two wristspinners and it is colder in the morning.

[mak36]

I think they just want to disappoint Pakistani fans by hook or by crook. They cant do it by competing well so they do it by batting first. Clever Chibabhas and chigumburas.

Most importantly, they will be disappointed Ramiz who wants to see a Pakistani double centurion when the team is chasing less than 200.

[Deewana Mastana]

They just should have had 3 ODI's as 5 ODI's against this side is just over kill.

[Arham_PakFan]

Just 3 runs off Junaids over.

Zimbabwe are 10/1 after 5 overs.

[AssassinatedDevil]

So PCB decide to play 5 ODI's against a country that shouldn't even have test status, and that too during such a cold weather. The quality of the commentators add on to the air of mediocrity around this series.

[Arham_PakFan]

Junaid Khan gets the wicket of the Masakadza,the Zimbabwe captain.

Zimbabwe are 18-2 after 7 overs.

[ahmedwaqas92]

So much excitement in this game, I'll probably lose all my nails by the end of it............

[Arham_PakFan]

Another wicket for Junaid Khan and Pakistan.

Musakanda out for a duck.

[AssassinatedDevil]

Junior akmal should be flown into Zimbabwe this very moment so he can take a 5-fer against these "batsmen". He will restart his career as a spinner.

[mak36]

This is what happens when you have a hungry bowling attack.

That said, I want to see Yasir and Shadab bowl so leave some wickets for them!

[Madplayer]

Lets make some guesses.

How many do you think Zim will score?

[Madplayer]

Brilliant catch by Babar

[babajee]

Rana jeeeeeeee

[Arham_PakFan]

Fourth wicket for Pakistan.

Faheem gets his first wicket.Good catch by Babar.

Zimbabwe 29-4.

This is embarrassing to be honest.

[Madplayer]

I think zim will score around 120.

[ahmedwaqas92]

Pacers running through Zimbabwe lineup - Wanted to see Yasir and Shadab bowl

[Arham_PakFan]

I think zim will score around 120.

Less than 100 is my guess,looking at the current soorat-e-haal.

[Arham_PakFan]

Pacers running through Zimbabwe lineup - Wanted to see Yasir and Shadab bowl

Yasir is into the attack now.This’ll be interesting.

[UN talkz]

Lets make some guesses.

How many do you think Zim will score?

482
Will break England’s record today iA
Common boouys

[Arham_PakFan]

Less than 100 is my guess,looking at the current soorat-e-haal.

Scratch that,make it 80

Faheem picks up Pakistan’s fifth wicket.

[babajee]

Rana will take 5 today

[Shafi]

Why Yasir is in ODI beyond my imagination. Does Inzi think he suddenly has big potential to be a great ODI bowler or we run out of players

[Abdullah719]

Live pictures of the Zimbabwean batsmen in action:

[Arham_PakFan]

Chigumbura looking clueless against Yasir.

[mak36]

Yasir is always good to watch- has a lot of energy when he bowls.

[Oligochaetes]

Looks like Lionel Messi has switched sports

Why does Zimbabwe still have test status?

[Arham_PakFan]

Third wicket for Faheem.

Zimbabwe 42-6.

[Sirris]

Lets make some guesses.

How many do you think Zim will score?

109/ao

Being a bit optimistic here.

[Kohli, The King of Chase]

Useless series. No point playing ur first choice players.

Sahibzada, Talat and Shaheen should have been in the squad.

[mak36]

500

[chinaman00]

Looks like they will be all out in the mid 80s. Pathetic decision to bat first after winning the toss in such conditions.

[dauntless]

oh yaar kya fazool tareen match hai. I guess it's time to sleep now.

[dauntless]

3 Odis would have been way more than enough

[Arham_PakFan]

Yasir gets his first wicket.

Chisoro loses his leg stump.

Zimbabwe 43-7

[dauntless]

Sarfraz should better win the toss in next match

[Arham_PakFan]

Scratch that,make it 80

Faheem picks up Pakistan’s fifth wicket.

Scratch that.Make it 60.

[ahmedwaqas92]

I blame Sarfraz for not winning the toss

[Sirris]

109/ao

Being a bit optimistic here.

OK that's not being optimistic, that's me being delusional.

55/ao

Now that's optimistic.

[mak36]

Sarfraz should better win the toss in next match

Didn't someone start a ridiculous (but funny) about how he needs to practise to improve his toss win %?

[Kohli, The King of Chase]

Umpires have taken the drinks break earlier. They're afraid that Zimbabwe might get bowled very soon and they may miss the free drinks.

[another drop catch]

shadab haven't bowl a single ball and zimbabwe are 7 down

[Da_Future_Knick]

Match is in our hands. Open with Asif Ali & Fakhar, bring Faheem one down.

[Kohli, The King of Chase]

Batting order should be

Faheem
Asif
Babar
Shadab

[Arham_PakFan]

Zimbabwe reach the important milestone of 50,with 7 wickets down.

[Abdullah719]

@Abdullah719

If Zimbabwe post less than 200, will Ramiz be disappointed if one of the Pakistani batsmen doesn't score a double century?

No better opportunity for FZ to hit a 300

[Kohli, The King of Chase]

Bring Junaid and Usman, and finish things off.

[mak36]

No better opportunity for FZ to hit a 300

"Frankly I didn’t enjoy Pak’s win today."