Pakistan win by 41 runs but not without alarms caused by a gutsy innings by Elton Chigumbra.

By PakPassion.net Staff (26th May, 2015)

Result : Pakistan win by 41 runs, Pakistan 375/3 (50 ov), Zimbabwe 334/5 (50.0 ov)

Toss : Pakistan won toss and decided to bat first.

Teams:

Pakistan XI: Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Harris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Asad Shafiq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Hammad Azam, Anwar Ali, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Sami, Yasir Shah.


Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe XI: H Masakadza, Sikandar Raza, E Chigumbura, CR Ervine, CB Mpofu, R Mutumbami, T Panyangara, V Sibanda, P Utseya, BV Vitori, SC Williams.

Pakistan ODI captain Azhar Ali knew that his task was to take this series 3-0 if he wishes to lead the team into the next Champions Trophy. What he did not know or probably would have been pleasantly surprised with is the way his batsmen responded to this challenge.

Pakistan's first ODI game on home soil was celebrated by a massive 375 for 3, the highest total in the country. Each of their top four crossed fifties with Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali setting up a strong base with a 170-run opening stand. Shoaib Malik and Haris Sohail then joined in the fun and built on with Malik scoring a powerful 112(76). Haris Sohail ended up on an equally powerful 89* (66). Zimbabwe were lax with the ball and their fielding and the over rate was slow, ending up 36 minutes overtime.

The target of 376 would have been daunting for most teams of the world and Zimbabwe decided to take a slow and steady approach to the end goal. Whether it was this or was it the quality of Pakistan bowling, Zimbabwe never looked to be making a dash for the finish line. In Zimbabwe's defence and appreciation though, as the required run rate slowly mounted, Masakadza(73) and Chigumbura (117) seem to have a plan in mind and did move the scoreboard along at an alarming pace during the last ten overs. Especially,with Chigumbura, if he had stuck around for a few more overs, who knows what would have happened?

Along the way, the Lahore crowd were given an opportunity to watch Hammad Azam bowl in an international game and Mohammad Sami continue his good form from the T20Is until Chigumbura pretty much dismantled him by taking 22 runs of an over. Yasir Shah also got a chance to impress his countrymen, his firsts appearance in ODIs since the 2015 World Cup.

So a somewhat satisfying victory for Pakistan in front of an equally excellent home crowd. Whilst Pakistan would have struggled to keep Zimbabwe at bay without Wahab Riaz (3 wickets for 40), the star of the day had to be Shoaib Malik for his mega batting performance and his impressive bowling as well. Also a good start for Azhar Ali for his first game as captain on home soil but, he will need to ensure that his team keeps their focus to finish off the 2nd ODI in a similar vein.

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