Pakistan lose 5 wickets in chase of 264 to leave match finely poised going into Day 5

by Pakpassion Staff (13th September 2013)

With an overnight score of 121/4 and a lead of 185 at the end of Day 3, Zimbabwe were well poised to apply further pressure on Pakistan as they looked to build an unassailable lead. However, their plans were badly damaged when Rahat Ali struck in the 60th over to get rid of Sibanda. Pakistan then added further pressure to their line up as Saeed Ajmal picked up the wicket of Waller. The fall of his wicket seemed to open a floodgate of wickets as Zimbabwe lost wickets at regular intervals. The rest of the batsmen could not answer the questions posed by opposition bowlers and with the exception of Taylor and Mutumbami, the day seemed to belong to Pakistan as they were bowled out for 199. 

An excellent comeback by Pakistan as Zimbabwe seemed to be running away with the game when they were 117/2 . Rahat Ali was the pick of the bowlers and rightfully claimed the 2nd 5Fer of his career.

Pakistan were thus set a target of 264.

Fall Of Wickets

5/136 (Vusi Sibanda, 59.2 ov),
6/149 (Malcolm Waller, 66.1 ov),
7/156 (Elton Chigumbura, 71.5 ov),
8/177 (Brendon Taylor, 81.3 ov),
9/199 (Richmond Mutumbami, 88.5 ov),
10/199 (Tendai Chatara, 89.5 ov), 
 

Pakistani openers came out to play positively - the idea being to reduce the target as soon as possible. Hafeez played some classy shots before falling early - yet again for just 16. There followed a brief period of consolidation but when Azhar Ali departed for a duck after playing 15 deliveries, a mini collapse ensued.

Manzoor (54) and Younis Khan (29) and then towards the end of the day, Asad Shafiq (14) were the casualties of this run chase as Pakistan were looking rather listless on 133/5. It was then left to Misbah and Adnan Akmal to take Pakistan to stumps without any further drama as they ended up at 158/5, needing another 106 runs to complete a series whitewash.

Fall Of Wickets 

1/30 (Mohammad Hafeez, 7.4 ov),
2/46 (Azhar Ali, 11.2 ov),
3/90 (Khurram Manzoor, 22.2 ov),
4/100 (Younis Khan, 25.5 ov),
5/133 (Asad Shafiq, 39.2 ov),
 

Pakistan bowlers were on top on Day 4 as they bundled out Zimbabwe for just 199. The Pakistani batting continued to baffle with its inability to provide a backbone for a successful run chase. The fate of the game for Pakistan rests solely on the shoulders of the last recognized pair. Zimbabwe, for their part are sniffing victory to level the series in Harare.

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