Pakistan take series 2-0 after storm hits final game

LAHORE:

A freakish sandstorm followed by heavy rain blew away Zimbabwe’s chances of registering a consolation win in the last One-Day International (ODI) of three-match series on Sunday as the match finished without any result at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Though Pakistan had comfortably won the series 2-0 it needed a victory in the last match to avoid deduction of two rating points in the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI rankings.

Replying to target of 297, Zimbabwe raced to 68 for no loss in nine overs.

Then, one of the light towers went off which caused the delay followed by a heavy sandstorm. Both teams finally returned with revised target of 281 in 46 overs and then the showers broke which permanently restricted the players to their dressing rooms.

Earlier, Pakistan had put on 296 for nine in their 50 overs after Azhar Ali decided to bat first. Pakistan captain Azhar Ali was delighted with the series win. “It is a really important series win for us because it was the first home tour in the past six years,” Azhar said about the victory. “We’ve got confidence with it and now we’ll try to take that into our next series with Sri Lanka.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 1^st, 2015.