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Harare: Offspinner Bilal Asif outlined his potential value to Pakistan ahead of upcoming games against England as his five-wicket haul clinched the third and decisive one-day international against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Monday.
Opening with Ahmed Shehzad, Asif survived a dropped chance early in his stay at the crease. John Nyumbu who had taken a sensational catch in the last match could not latch onto a much simpler one. It did not seem to affect Asif who played himself to a stroke-filled 38 which included 6 fours and a six.
Playing in just his second ODI, Asif decimated the Zimbabwe line-up with figures of 5 for 25 as the hosts were bowled out for 161, then scored 38 as Pakistan chased their target in 34 overs to win by seven wickets.
The 30-year-old was a late addition to Pakistan's ODI squad at the behest of Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who felt the offspinner could come in handy against England's slew of left-handers in a three-match series that starts on October 13.
The visitors passed the target for only the loss of three wickets with 96 balls to spare, with Asad Shafiq (38) and Shoaib Malik (34) unbeaten at the Harare Sports Club.
Man-of-the-Match, Asif came to his rescue and removed Chamu Chibhabha with a loopy delivery.
At 89/0, Zimbabwe were still in a comfortable position. However, their middle-order batsmen were clearly not in the mood to hang around. Slashing around without any clue, they capsized to 144/9. Luke Jongwe’s cameo helped them cross the 150-mark.
Imad Wasim who was surprisingly left out of the 2nd ODI, returned to torment Zimbabwe and assisted Asif by picking up 3 wickets.
Only Richmond Mutumbami, Chibhabha and Jongwe managed to reach double-figures for the home team. Clearly, defending 160 in a modern-day ODI requires a miraculous bowling performance.
Brief scores
Zimbabwe - 161 (Mutumbami 67, Chibhabha 48, Bilal Asif 5-25, Imad Wasim 3-36)
Pakistan - 162/3 (Bilal Asif 38, Asad Shafiq 38*)
Result - Pakistan won by 7 wickets
MOM - Bilal Asif (Pakistan)
