Pakistan set 304-run target for Zimbabwe in third ODI

Pakistan set Zimbabwe a target of 304 runs in the third and series-deciding One Day International (ODI) at Queens Sports Club on Thursday.

Saim Ayub (31 off 37 balls) was dismissed in the 13th over after he attempted to clear deep square leg but found Clive Madande at the boundary. His dismissal left Pakistan at 58/1.

Abdullah Shafique (50 off 68 balls) followed shortly, dismissed LBW by Sikandar Raza in the 24th over, bringing Pakistan to 112/2. Shafique's departure was a key moment as he had built a steady partnership with Kamran Ghulam.

Kamran Ghulam (103 off 99 balls) then anchored Pakistan's innings with a brilliant century. His knock included 10 boundaries and 4 sixes, showcasing his aggression and timing. He was eventually dismissed in the 45th over by Richard Ngarava, caught by Madande at deep cover, bringing Pakistan to 232/4.

Captain Mohammad Rizwan (37 off 47 balls) followed next, edging a catch to Dion Myers off the bowling of Raza in the 40th over, leaving Pakistan at 201/3. Rizwan struggled to get going and his dismissal halted Pakistan's momentum.

Salman Agha (30 off 26 balls) also fell after a quickfire knock, dismissed off a leading edge to Brian Bennett in the 48th over, reducing Pakistan to 273/5.

The tail wagged with Tayyab Tahir (29* off 16 balls) playing an explosive cameo, and Irfan Khan (3 off 5 balls) falling to Blessing Muzarabani in the 49th over.

Aamer Jamal (5* off 4 balls) remained unbeaten as Pakistan closed their innings at 303/6.

In response, Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled to make significant breakthroughs. Sikandar Raza was the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets for 47 runs in his 10 overs.

Richard Ngarava also claimed two wickets for 55 runs, while Blessing Muzarabani took one wicket for 66 runs.

Pakistan's total of 303/6 sets a challenging target for Zimbabwe, with a required run rate of 6.07.

Zimbabwe will need a strong chase to get anywhere near this target, and Pakistan will be looking to capitalize on their well-rounded performance with the ball.

Fall of Wickets for Pakistan:

1. Saim Ayub (58/1, c Madande b Faraz Akram)
2. Abdullah Shafique (112/2, lbw b Sikandar Raza)
3. Mohammad Rizwan (201/3, c Myers b Sikandar Raza)
4. Kamran Ghulam (232/4, c Madande b Ngarava)
5. Salman Agha (273/5, c Bennett b Ngarava)
6. Irfan Khan (283/6, c Williams b Muzarabani)

Zimbabwe’s Bowling Figures:

• Sikandar Raza: 10 overs, 47 runs, 2 wickets
• Richard Ngarava: 10 overs, 55 runs, 2 wickets
• Blessing Muzarabani: 10 overs, 66 runs, 1 wicket
• Faraz Akram: 8 overs, 63 runs, 1 wicket
• Sean Williams: 10 overs, 43 runs, 0 wickets
• Brian Bennett: 2 overs, 27 runs, 0 wickets

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.

 

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.