3.45 PM Thursday, 28 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:57 06:11 12:27 15:53 18:37 19:51
28 March 2024

Pak vs Zim 2nd ODI: Zimbabwe level series as bad light stalls Pakistan charge

Published
By Correspondent and Agencies

Shoaib Malik's brilliant fightback was foiled by bad light as Zimbabwe beat Pakistan by five runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method in a drama-filled second one-day international at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

Malik was left stranded on 96 not out having hauled Pakistan from 76 for six to 256 for eight chasing 277 for victory when the umpires took the players off the field with two overs remaining.

The game had earlier been delayed by a brief rain shower, but the decision left the 33-year-old batsman furious as he was denied the opportunity to carry his team across the line.

The result left the three-match series level ahead of Monday's tour finale, and although Zimbabwe were breathing a sigh of relief after nearly letting the game slip, their victory represented a remarkable turnaround.

Under pressure after being rolled for 128 in an embarrassing defeat on Thursday, the home batsmen showed their capabilities in posting 276 for six, with Chamu Chibhabha anchoring the innings with a composed 90 and Elton Chigumbura adding the flourish with his brisk 67.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Pakistan were left to wonder whether they had underestimated their opponents in leaving out star performer Imad Wasim in order to give a debut to 30-year-old spinner Bilal Asif, who went wicketless as Zimbabwe took control of the game.

Chibhabha's fifth half-century of the year led Zimbabwe's much-improved effort, and included a 91-run stand with rookie Brian Chari and a 59-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Chigumbura.

"The partnership between Chamu and Chari set things up for us," reflected Chigumbura. "There was lots of pressure for the team and the way we went out there today showed good character."

Once Chibhabha had been caught behind off the bowling of Wahab Riaz, Chigumbura put on 62 runs in six overs with Sikandar Raza Butt before hitting his stumps to give Riaz a fourth wicket.

A tall target looked well beyond Pakistan when Zimbabwe's seamers reduced them to 56 for five, and after Graeme Cremer removed Mohammad Rizwan to make that 76 for six, the game appeared to be up.

However Malik and Aamer Yamin counter-attacked in a brilliant 111-run stand for the seventh wicket, with the pair riding their luck as Zimbabwe dropped a series of catches.

Chigumbura appeared to have settled the game once more when he had Yamin strangled down the leg side for 62 and then ran out Riaz, but Malik continued to hammer away and enjoyed the support of Yasir Shah's unbeaten 32 from 22 balls.

Pakistan looked likely to get over the line with 21 needed from the final two overs, but the fading light had the final say.

"It was a lovely game," said Pakistan captain Azhar Ali. "Malik and Yamin made us come back when it looked like a one-sided game.

"Zimbabwe played really well - we could have restricted them to under 250 but they played well at the end. We lost too many wickets at the start of our innings."

Bad light

Opener Chamu Chibhabha hit 90 as Zimbabwe, aided by bad light, held off a spirited revival from Pakistan to level the one-day international series with a five-run victory in the second match at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

Chibhabha's steady innings propelled the home side to 276 for six in their 50 overs after being sent in to bat.

Pakistan collapsed to 76 for six in their reply, before rallying in the second half of their innings on the back of an excellent 96 not out from experienced batsman Shoaib Malik to leave them with 21 to get from the final two overs.

But with darkness descending on Harare, home umpire Jeremiah Matibiri and Ruchira Palliyaguruge from Sri Lanka pulled the players from the field and revised the Pakistan target to 262, leaving Zimbabwe victorious with the visitors stranded on 256 for eight in 48 overs.

Chibhabha, who was out for 99 when Zimbabwe toured Pakistan in May, looked as though he would score his maiden ODI ton before poor footwork saw him flash at a wide delivery from seamer Wahab Riaz and offer a low catch to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.

It was one of four wickets in the innings for Riaz, who also had home skipper Elton Chigumbura out hit wicket for a well-played 67 from 55 balls.

Standing back in the crease, Chigumbura attempted to smash a low full toss, but succeeded only in crashing his bat into the wickets as he played the shot.

Riaz finished with figures of four for 63 in his 10 overs. Pakistan made a disastrous start to their reply as Zimbabwe seamer Tinashe Panyangara dismissed both openers cheaply on his way to figures of two for 44 in nine overs.

But the tourist mounted a superb rearguard action when Malik and Aamer Yamin (62 from 68 balls) put on 111 for the seventh wicket.

Malik, who was four runs short of becoming the first ever Pakistan number five to score a century in a chase, added a further 63 with Yasir Shah (32 not out) for the ninth wicket before the light intervened and halted their charge.

The series decider will be played at the same venue on Monday.

Pakistan innings

Zimbabwe won the match under controversial circumstances to level the series. Pakistan needed another 21 from 12 balls with Shoaib Malik batting on 96 when play was called off due to bad light.

The D/L method was applied after they could not resume play and Zimbabwe were declared winners.

Malik reaches 96 as Pakistan need 21 from 12 balls. Pak 256-8 in 48 overs.

Pakistan need 38 from 24 balls. Malik on 87 while Yasir on 25.

Rain disrupts play. It's very heavy but it's still bright and sunny.

Another set back for Pakistan as Riaz is run out. Zimbabwe look inching towards a big win. Pak 193-8 in 41.5 overs.

Wahab Riaz run out 3 (8b 0x4 0x6)

A big wicket for Zimbabwe as Yamin goes plaing a poor shot off a delivery going down the leg. Pak 187-7 in 39.5 overs.

Aamer Yamin c Mutumbami b Chigumbura 62 (68b 5x4 4x6) 

Malik gets to his half century in style smashing a superb six off Chibhabha. Pak 145-6 in 33.3 overs.

Partnership between Malik and Yamin reaches 51. A very crucial one for the visitors. Pak 131-6 in 32 overs.

Malik batting on 37 while Yamin is on 25 as Pakistan reach 117 for six in 30 overs. 

Superb catch from Nyumbu at slip to send Rizwan packing. Pakistan lose their sixth wicket as they have a mountain to climb. Malik is batting on 28 at the other end. Pak 76-6 in 21.2 overs

Pakistan slipping into further trouble as they lose another wicket. Sarfraz Ahmed goes offering a simple catch to Williams at extra cover. Pak 56-5 in 17.5 overs.

Sarfraz Ahmed c Williams b Chibhabha 9 (14b 1x4 0x6)

Hafeez was going fine before a run out ended his innings. He is left stranded in the middle as the some superb fielding at mid field gives Zimbabwe another wicket. Zim 40-4 in 14 overs.

Mohammad Hafeez run out 27 (41b 5x4 0x6) 

Pakistan reach 38 for three in 13 overs. Hafeez batting on 26 while Malik is cautious taking 22 deliveries to score eight. Pak 38-3 in 13 overs.

Nothing going right for Pakistan as the top order collapses. Shafiq is the next to go as he offers a simple catch to the keeper. Pak 17-3 in 5.3 overs.

Asad Shafiq c Mutumbami b Jongwe 1 (6b 0x4 0x6) 

Pakistan in trouble here. A superb delivery from Panangara as Ali's stumps are rattled. Pak 8-2 in 2.4 overs.

Azhar Ali b Panyangara 1 (11b 0x4 0x6)

Pakistan lose an early wicket in the very first over. Asif goes for a duck. Pak 2-1 in 0.5 overs.

Bilal Asif c Chigumbura b Panyangara 0 (3b 0x4 0x6)

ZIMBABWE INNINGS

Chamu Chibhabha and Elton Chigumbura scored half centuries as Zimbabwe secured a fine 270 for five in 50 overs in the second one-day international.

Chibhabha was unlucky to miss out on the century after he was out on 90 from 125 balls including eight boundaries while skipper Chigumbura hit 67 from 55 balls supported by four fours and two sixes.

Brian Chari (39) and Sikandar Raza (32) were the other significant contributors.

For Pakistan, Wahab Riaz picked four wickets.

Raza goes for a wild swing but only finds the edge to the wicket keeper. Zim 267 for six in 49.3 overs.

Sikandar Raza c Sarfraz Ahmed b Aamer Yamin 32 (21b 2x4 1x6)

Riaz picks his third wicket as Chigumbura hit his own stumps. But a fine innings to give Zimbabwe a challening total. Zim 253-5 in 48.3 overs.

Elton Chigumbura hit wicket b Wahab Riaz 67 (55b 4x4 2x6)

A super half century from Chigumbura as he helps Zimbabwe reach a fine position. Still another four overs to go. Zim 231-4 in 46 overs.

A big over for Zimbabwe as 17 runs comes off it. A six each from Chigumbura and Raza. Zim 223-4 in 45 overs.

Chibhabha unlucky to be out on 90. Nevertheless a brilliant knock to put Zimbabwe in a fine position. Great bowling by Riaz as he picks his second wicket. Zim 191-4 in 42.3 overs.

Chamu Chibhabha c Sarfraz Ahmed b Wahab Riaz 90 (125b 8x4 0x6)

Zimbabwe reach 184 for three in 40 overs. The hosts are maintaining a fine run rate but need to step it up with just 10 overs left . Zim 180 for 3 in 40 overs. 

Chibhabha batting really well as he reaches 81 as Zimbabwe is a fine position. They just need to step up their scoring rate if they are to target a score close to 300. Zim 153-3 in 35 overs.

Another quick wicket for Pakistan as Sean Williams departs caught at the slip. Zim 132-3 in 30.5 overs.

Sean Williams c Mohammad Hafeez b Wahab Riaz 10 (8b 2x4 0x6)

Pakistan finally earn the breakthrough. Irfan removes Chari after he offers a catch at the slip. Zim 118-2 in 28.5 overs.

Brian Chari c Mohammad Hafeez b Mohammad Irfan 39 (64b 1x4 0x6) 

A fine half century from Chibhabha. He takes 68 balls to reach there with six boundaries. Zim 89-1 in 22 overs.

Half century partnership for Zimbabwe between Chibhabha and Chari. Chibhabha just three runs away from his half century. Zim 81-1 in 20 overs.

Zimbabwe is slow with a run rate of less than three but steady. Chibhabha batting on 35 while Chari is on seven.

Chibhabha is on 29 as Zimbabwe reach 40-1 in 10 overs.

Masakadza swings his bat for a big one only to find Irfan at long leg. Riaz gives the first break for Pakistan. Zim 27-1 in 7.4 overs.

Hamilton Masakadza c Mohammad Irfan b Wahab Riaz 7 (22b 1x4 0x6)

Zimbabwe openers adopting a very cautious approach. The runrate is around four. Zim 22-0 in 6 overs.

Masakadza yet to open his account. He has already faced 10 deliveries. Chibhabha on 8. Zim 8-0 in 3 overs.

Hamilton Masakadza and Chamu Chibhabha open for Zimbabwe as Irfan bowls.

Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bowl first.

PLAYING XI: 

ZIMBABWE: Brian Chari, Chamu Chibhabha, Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Elton Chigumbura, Richmond Mutumbami, Luke Jongwe, Graeme Cremer, Tinashe Panyangara, John Nyumbu

PAKISTAN: Azhar Ali, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfraz Ahmed†, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan, Asad Shafiq, Aamer Yamin, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Irfan

In the 1st ODI, legspinner Yasir Shah returned career-best figures as Pakistan routed Zimbabwe by 131 runs.

Chasing a target of 260 after a century stand by Mohammad Rizwan and Imad Wasim had rescued the Pakistan innings, Zimbabwe were bowled out for just 128 with Shah recording figures of 6 for 26.