Shehzad, Afridi set up 25-run win

Pakistan batsman fires 70 off 50 as tourists beat Zimbabwe in 1st Twenty20.

HARARE:

Opener Ahmed Shehzad struck 70 from 50 deliveries to help Pakistan cruise to a 25-run victory over Zimbabwe in the first Twenty20 international played at the Harare Sports Club yesterday.

Pakistan posted 161 for five from their 20 overs, a total that always looked beyond the hosts.

None of the Zimbabwe batsmen were able to score quickly with only skipper Brendan Taylor (32*) and Vusi Sibanda (31) compiling scores of note in the home total of 135 for five.

Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi used all his guile to bamboozle the Zimbabwe batsmen and his wrist spin brought match-winning figures of three for 25 in four overs.

“Early on in the innings the ball was doing a bit, that is why Zimbabwe picked up those early wickets,” said Shehzad, who was named the man of the match for his quickfire knock. “But the ball came on a little easier as the game got on and we were looking to lay a good foundation because we knew we had a big hitter like Afridi in the line-up and with our bowling we knew we could defend our total.”

Shehzad added that they were confident with the bowling line-up that they had, anything above the score of 150 would have given the edge to the tourists.

“We wanted to just bat with our top six and so were a little cautious at the start. We felt that with the bowling attack we have, if we got anything over 150 we could win.”

Earlier, Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field, making a good start after opening the bowling with off-spinner Prosper Utseya conceding only 15 from his four overs.

But all the while Shehzad was blazing away from one end and when he was joined by Afridi (23 from 16 balls) with a little more than five overs to go, Pakistan stepped up the scoring rate. There was also a good cameo from debutant Sohaib Maqsood (26 from 16 balls).

All of the Pakistan bowlers were able to contain the batsmen in the Zimbabwe reply, with Afridi in particular using his variations to great effect on a dry, lifeless pitch.

Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez was happy with the win but wanted his side to remain focused for the challenges ahead.

“We were confident with the strength in our bowling, we would be able to defend any score above 150,” said the captain. “Our fielding was impressive as well.

“The win today was good but it is already in the past now. The boys must look at the next game which will decide the series.”

The second Twenty20 will be played at the same venue today.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 24^th, 2013.

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