Spinners shine as Pakistan restrict Zimbabwe to 205 runs in first ODI

Zimbabwe was bowled out for 205 in the first ODI, setting Pakistan a target of 206 to win.

Pakistan launched a spin attack to curtail Zimbabwe for a modest total in the first ODI here at Queen Sports Club on Sunday.

Zimbabwe was bowled out for 205 in the first ODI of the series, setting Pakistan a target of 206 to win at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

The hosts started their innings aggressively, with their openers trying to build a solid foundation. However, they lost early wickets, and the pressure mounted.

At 40 runs, Zimbabwe's first wicket fell when Joylord Gumbie was run out for 15 by Abdullah Shafique. Soon after, Dion Myers fell for 8, leaving Zimbabwe at 58/2.

Captain Craig Ervine (6) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (29) also struggled to get going, with Ervine dismissed cheaply and Marumani falling after a brief partnership.

Sean Williams (23), Brian Bennett (20), and Brdandon Mavuta (1) could not provide significant contributions either, as Zimbabwe’s middle order faltered under pressure.

The collapse continued with the loss of key wickets, including that of Sikandar Raza, who was dismissed for 39 by Faisal Akram. Raza had earlier formed a strong partnership with Richard Ngarava, adding 62 runs for the eighth wicket.

Ngarava (48) played a determined knock, hitting 5 fours and 1 six, but lacked support from the other end as Zimbabwe were all out for 205.

Pakistan’s bowlers delivered an excellent performance, with Salman Agha and Faisal Akram each picking up 3 wickets.

Agha finished with figures of 3/29 from 7 overs, while Akram took 3/24 in 8 overs. Haris Rauf, Aamer Jamal, and Mohammad Hasnain also chipped in with a wicket each, ensuring Zimbabwe could not build any significant partnerships in the latter stages of their innings.

Earlier, Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and chose to field, stating his intention to dismiss the hosts for a low total and make a strong start to the series.

Rizwan’s decision proved to be the right one, as his bowlers restricted Zimbabwe to a modest total.

Zimbabwe’s team captain, Craig Ervine, expressed confidence before the match, saying the team was determined to get a win on home soil against Pakistan.

With Pakistan needing 206 runs to win, the match is finely poised, and the visitors will be favorites to chase down the target given the dominant performance from their bowlers.

Pakistan's ODI squad, led by Mohammad Rizwan, reached Zimbabwe on Wednesday and had three extensive practice sessions in the lead up to the ODI series.

In the 15-member squad Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been replaced with uncapped duo of Abrar Ahmed and Ahmed Daniyal along with pacer Shahnawaz Dahani and Tayyab Tahir.

Former fast bowler and member National Men's Selection Committee, Aqib Javed has been appointed the interim white-ball head coach of the Pakistan team until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at home.

The ODI series against Zimbabwe will be his first assignment after he joined the team on Friday.

Pakistan and Zimbabwe last faced each other in the 50-over format in November 2020 in Rawalpindi where Pakistan beat the visitors 2-1. Pakistan, on their last visit to Zimbabwe whitewashed the Chevrons in a five-match ODI series in July 2018.

Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan's ODI captain, while speaking at a press conference, said: "The ODI series against Zimbabwe is equally important for us as we aim to test out our bench strength and plan towards the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at home. With the help of the Almighty, we aim to keep the winning momentum from out last ODI series going.

"With the trio of our main players resting up after the Australia series, it will be exciting to see other players putting their hands up and helping the team at various times during the 50-over contests.

"Having played against the home team various times, we do expect them to put up challenges for us during the three ODIs but crucially this series will also test out temperament in terms of backing up a historic win in Australia."

Playing XI:
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Haseebullah Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Aamir Jamal, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Faisal Akram

Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Joylord Gumbie (wk), Trevor Gwandu, Tawandanashe Marumani, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c)