Sports Reporter in Bulawayo
Bulawayo Zimbabwe – Pakistan secured a decisive 99-run victory against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club on Thursday, clinching the three-match one-day international series 2-1.
The win was anchored by Kamran Ghulam’s maiden ODI century, which propelled Pakistan to a formidable total of 303 runs.
Winning the toss and opting to bat, Pakistan’s innings got off to a solid start with openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique.
“We knew we needed a strong foundation, and I think we delivered that well,” said Shafique, who scored 50 runs off 68 balls.
The duo added 58 runs before Ayub fell for 31, caught sharply on the boundary off Faraz Akram’s bowling.
Ghulam’s explosive performance stole the show, as he notched up an impressive 103 runs off 99 balls, including 10 fours and four sixes.
“It feels incredible to score my first century for Pakistan. It was all about building partnerships and capitalizing on the momentum,” Ghulam remarked after the match.
His partnership with Mohammad Rizwan, which yielded 89 runs for the third wicket, was pivotal in pushing Pakistan past the 300-run mark.
Zimbabwe’s bowling attack, led by Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava, put in commendable efforts, with Raza claiming two wickets for 47 runs.
“We fought hard, but they took the game away from us in the final overs,” Raza reflected.
Chasing a daunting target of 304, Zimbabwe’s response faltered early. Saim Ayub struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Joylord Gumbie and Dion Myers, leaving the hosts reeling at 10 for 2. Craig Ervine, who was the standout performer for Zimbabwe with a gritty 51 runs, tried to anchor the innings.
“We needed to build partnerships but lost too many wickets at crucial moments,” Ervine lamented.
The turning point came when Ervine was bowled by Aamer Jamal at 123, leaving Zimbabwe at 130 for 6. Despite a late flurry from Brian Bennett, who scored 37 runs off 27 balls, Zimbabwe’s innings crumbled, and they were bowled out for 204 in just 40.1 overs.
Pakistan’s bowlers, including Jamal, Saim Ayub, and Haris Rauf, each took two wickets, effectively dismantling Zimbabwe’s batting lineup.
“The bowlers executed the plan perfectly, and we were able to control the game,” said Pakistan captain Babar Azam.
With this victory, Pakistan not only claimed the series but also showcased their depth and resilience, bouncing back after losing the opening match on Sunday.
“Winning the series means a lot to us, and we look forward to building on this momentum in future games,” Babar concluded.
As the teams reflect on the series, Zimbabwe will look to regroup and learn from their experiences as they prepare for their next challenges.
Zim GBC Sports News©2024