Pakistan opt to bat first against Zimbabwe in ODI series decider

Pakistan are unchanged for series decider final ODI.

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first in the final ODI of the three-match series against Zimbabwe here at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Pakistan are unchanged, while Zimbabwe make two changes in the squad for the final ODI.

 

 

 

 

 

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In second ODI, Pakistan delivered a dominant performance to secure a crushing 10-wicket victory over Zimbabwe.

Following a superb four-wicket haul by debutant Abrar Ahmed, Pakistan comfortably chased down Zimbabwe’s modest total of 146, doing so without losing a wicket and with 190 balls to spare.

Zimbabwe's innings had been restricted to just 145, thanks to Abrar’s impressive bowling figures of 4/33, as Pakistan's spinners dismantled the hosts' batting lineup.

In reply, Pakistan’s chase was led by a sensational knock from Saim Ayub, who scored his maiden ODI century in just 53 balls, making him the third-fastest centurion in Pakistan's ODI history, behind only Shahid Afridi. Saim’s 113 not out from 62 balls included 20 boundaries and three sixes.

Abdullah Shafique provided solid support, finishing unbeaten on 32, as Pakistan reached 146 without losing a wicket.

Pakistan chased down target in just 26.2 overs, as the pair dominated the Zimbabwean bowlers throughout the chase.

Playing XI:

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Aamir Jamal, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed and Faisal Akram.

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