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28 March 2024

Pakistan vs Zimbabwe 2nd ODI: Ali leads Pakistan to series win

Published
By Cricket Correspondent and Agencies
 

Captain Azhar Ali notched a century on Friday and led Pakistan to a six-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the second one-day international for an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Ali, dropped on 53, scored career-best 102 off 104 balls with eight fours in Pakistan’s solid run-chase of 269-4 with 16 balls to spare.

Ali featured in two productive half-century stands, adding 85 runs with Asad Shafiq (39) and a further 56 with Haris Sohail, who remained unbeaten on 52 for his second successive half century.

An explosion was heard during Pakistan’s run-chase but the match didn’t stop and police said it was caused by electric transformer nearly one kilometer away from the Gaddafi Stadium.

Earlier, Sikandar Raza scored an unbeaten 100 off 84 balls and Chamu Chibhabha, replacing suspended regular captain Elton Chigumbura, missed out on his maiden hundred by one run as Zimbabwe posted 268-7.

Ali lost 3-0 to Bangladesh last month in his debut series as Pakistan ODI captain, but his century ensured Pakistan win its first ODI series in 17 months after losing five in a row.

Zimbabwe had its moments to challenge Pakistan’s strong batting lineup which posted 375-3 in the first match before visitors lost by 41 runs.

Pakistan could have been 109-3 in the 23rd over, but Chibhabha dropped the Pakistan skipper at short cover off Graeme Cremer, one of four changes made by Zimbabwe.

Stand-in captain Hamilton Masakadza rotated eight bowlers - including an over from himself - but Ali stayed focused after the let off before he was caught at point.

Earlier, Raza scored his second ODI century with eight fours and three sixes while Chibhabha was caught down the leg side off Shoaib Malik’s offspin after dominating Pakistan bowlers.

Chibhabha dominated the first wicket stand of 83 with Vusi Sibanda (13) before Raza’s late surge lifted Zimbabwe’s total. Legspinner Yasir Shah took 2-40 while fast bowler Wahab Riaz also chipped in with 2-55.

Pakistan’s bowlers struggled for the breakthrough after Ali won the toss but surprisingly decided to bowl in temperatures of 41 degrees Celsius (105 Fahrenheit).

After Pakistan’s fast bowlers toiled in the hot weather, offspinner Mohammad Hafeez brought the first success in the 19th over when he clean bowled Sibanda.

Yasir struck in successive overs when Masakadza looped the ball to a diving Hafeez at first slip off a mistimed reverse sweep and Sean Williams offered a tame return catch to the legspinner. Chibhabha hit 11 fours and a six but walked back in apparent disbelief after he was adjudged caught behind.

Raza cut loose after Chibhabha’s dimissal and hit fast bowler Mohammad Sami for two fours and a six in one over as Zimbabwe scored 81 runs in the last 10 overs.

Zimbabwe will round off its 13-day tour with the last ODI on Sunday after the African nation became the first country to tour Pakistan after six years.

Sohail slams Panyangara inside out over extra cover for a boundary to reach his half century and hits the winnings run as Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets with nearly three overs to spare and take 2-0 lead in the series.

Malik hits the first six of the innings in the 45th hoisting Mupariwa over extra cover. Pak 246-4, 45 overs.

Zimbabwe strike a crucial blow removing centurion Ali. Pak 209-4m 40.1 overs.

Azhar Ali c Williams b Mupariwa 102 (104b 8x4 0x6)

Ali completes a run-a-ball century, his second as captain. Pak 201-3, 39 overs.

Cremer breaks the partnership ending Shafiq's vigil. Pak 153-3, 31-4 overs.
 
Asad Shafiq c Sikandar Raza b Cremer 39 (59b 1x4 0x6)

Pakistan in cruise control at the halfway mark needing just a run a ball. Pak 120-2, 25 overs.

Azhar Ali completes his fourth half century in five innings. Pak 102-2, 21 overs.


Coventry takes a superb catch in the deep as Hafeez miscues Cremer to long-off. Pak 68-2, 14.3 overs.

Mohammad Hafeez c Coventry b Cremer 15 (24b 2x4 0x6)

Hafeez gets into his stride by flicking Chibhabha through midwicket for a delightful boundary. Pak 54-1, 11 overs.

Zimbabwe get a breakthrough as Sarfraz is adjudged leg before off Chibhabha. Pak 46-1, 8.4 overs.

Sarfraz Ahmed lbw b Chibhabha 22 (28b 1x4 0x6)

Azhar hits the first boundary of the innings in the fifth over with an exquisite cover drive off Panyangara. Pak 19-0, 5 overs.

Sarfraz opens the innings with skipper Azhar Ali as Pakistan chase a target of 269.

A maiden unbeaten century by Sikander Raza lifted Zimbabwe to 268-8 after being put into bat.

Opener Chibhabha missed out a century by one run.

Pakistan won the toss and put Zimbabwe into bat in the second one-day international.

 

Hosts lead the series 1-0.