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Harare: Zimbabwe clinch tense clash under controversial circumstances against Pakistan in 2nd ODI to win by 5 runs (D/L method) at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
Chaising 277 to victory, Pakistan had the dual challenge of maintaining wickets while also keeping the scoreboard ticking at a good rate. however, the top order endured a disastrous start with the openers getting out very cheaply.
Azhar Ali scored one run of 11 balls before getting dismissed, while debutant Bilal Asif had the worst possible start to his international career, getting out for a duck. Both wickets were taken by Tinashe Panyangara.
No sooner had Pakistan recovered from the loss, than Luke Jongwe got Asad Shafiq to edge to the wicketkeeper for one run. Pakistan were left reeling at eight for three at that stage. It was then Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik at the crease to try and rescue Pakistan from a dire position. They were starting to settle down, but in a brilliant bit of fielding Mohammad Hafeez was run out for 27 off 41.
Sarfraz Ahmed fell cheaply for nine runs to Chamu Chibhabha. Mohammad Rizwan was dismissed for eight by Graeme Cremer, who was caught at slip by Nyumbu.
Aamer Yamin was the next batsman in and he provided ample support for Malik. As he grew in confidence, he took over the scoring role and beyond a point the partnership really began to threat Zimbabwe’s win. Both batsmen scored their fifties and were looking adequately equipped with self-belief to pull of a miracle-win. Yamin was dismissed in the 40th over by Chigumbura and Zimbabwe heaved a sigh of relief.
The next batsman Riaz was dismissed in a brilliant bit of athletic effort by Chigumbura again. Riaz mishit the ball and the ball rolled to the side, but he tried to sneak in a quick single, but Chigumbura swooped in, collected the ball and before Riaz knew it Chigumbura’s throw dislodged the bails. While Malik continued to resist, the asking rate increased drastically, but he had support at the other end in form of Yasir Shah.
Earlier, a composed 90 from Chamu Chibhabha and a late flourish from Elton Chigumbura takes Zimbabwe to 276 for six.
Under pressure after being bowled out for a paltry 128 in the series opener, Zimbabwe's batsmen gave a better reflection of their abilities in posting 276 after being asked to bat first.
Their innings was founded on Chibhabha's fifth half-century of the year, as the opener steadily went about constructing an innings after encountering some swing early on.
His 91-run stand with rookie Brian Chari laid the groundwork as Zimbabwe progressed to 118 for one in the 29th over.
Pakistan's persistence in keeping a slip in place paid off when Chari edged Mohammad Irfan to depart for a patient 39, and Wahab Riaz found the edge of Sean Williams' bat.
However Chibhabha added 59 for the fourth wicket with Chigumbura, who ensured that he was ready to launch by the time that Chibhabha had been caught behind off Riaz.
The Zimbabwe captain launched two sixes as he put on 62 runs in six overs with Sikandar Raza Butt, before hitting his wicket to depart for 67 from 55 balls and give Riaz a fourth victim.
With Sikandar Raza and Richmond Mutumbami also finding the middle of the bat, Zimbabwe added a further 23 from the last nine balls of their innings to leave Pakistan with a tall chase.
Brief scores
Zimbabwe - 276/6 (Chibhabha 90, Chigumbura 67, Riaz 4-63)
Pakistan - 256/8 (target 262 in 48 ov) (Malik 96*, Yamin 62)
Result - Zimbabwe won by 5 runs (D/L method)
MOM - Elton Chigumbura (Zimbabwe)
