Pakistan aim to finish job in 3rd ODI
Zimbabwe eye first bilateral series victory in 13 years.
Pakistan go into a must-win match against Zimbabwe today in Harare. PHOTO: AFP
In some dark times for Zimbabwe Cricket, they have gained a rare chance to win a One-Day International (ODI) series after a gap of nearly 13 years as they take on Pakistan in the third and final match today in Harare.
The minnows beat New Zealand at home 13 years ago and have since failed to make an impression against the bigger teams.
Zimbabwe were victorious against a lax Pakistan side in the first ODI when they won only their third match against the Asian giants after 15 years. Pakistan then bounced back and comprehensively beat the hosts in the second ODI.
The national side, however, will look to avoid another shocking defeat today. The onus will be on the spin-bowling trio of Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez, who are yet to impress in the series with the ball.
Ajmal has had an unusually poor series, giving away 44 runs in the first ODI and 40 in the second. Hafeez and Afridi have not fared any better and have so far remained wicket-less.
The batting however improved with Hafeez scoring a splendid century in the second match, ably supported by youngster Umar Amin, who chipped in with a vital fifty.
Meanwhile, late reports yesterday suggested that the Zimbabwe team had refused to play the final match if their salaries were not paid.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2013.