In a nail-biting encounter, Pakistan Shaheens emerged victorious by five runs on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method against Zimbabwe Select in the third one-day match of the series. This marked Shaheens’ first win in the one-day series, while the hosts maintained a 2-1 lead. Both teams are set to clash again in the fourth one-day match at the same venue on Tuesday, 23 May.
Chasing a target of 279 runs, the opening pair of Mohammad Huraira and Saim Ayub got off to a solid start, adding 47 runs to the scoreboard. However, the departure of both batsmen within a short span of time posed a challenge for Shaheens. Haseebullah and Omair Bin Yousuf then took charge, stitching a crucial 60-run partnership for the third wicket. Omair, playing his first match in the series, contributed 29 runs before being dismissed.
With the score at 107 for three in the 21st over, Zimbabwe Select managed to pick up wickets at regular intervals, including the well-set Haseebullah, who scored a valiant 49 runs. Shaheens found themselves in a precarious position at 169 for six in the 33rd over. However, the young duo of Mubasir Khan and Qasim Akram displayed tremendous resilience and added a crucial 67 runs for the seventh wicket. Mubasir’s departure in the 42nd over left Shaheens requiring 43 runs to win from 49 balls.
Qasim remained calm under pressure and steered the team to victory with two wickets in hand. As the light began to fade in the 47th over, Shaheens sealed the win by five runs on the DLS method. Qasim was the standout performer, scoring an unbeaten half-century, smashing seven fours and one six during his composed innings.
Zimbabwe Select’s Tendai Chatara was the pick of their bowlers, claiming four wickets for 53 runs from 9.5 overs.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan Shaheens made three changes to their playing XI after stand-in captain Hussain Talat won the toss and elected to field. The hosts faced early struggles, losing five wickets with just 137 runs on the board in the 28th over. However, Sean Williams and Clive Madande resurrected the innings with a crucial 65-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Williams top-scored with an impressive 78 runs, while Madande contributed 22 runs. Zimbabwe Select were eventually bowled out for 278 on the final ball of their innings.
Shahnawaz Dahani and Aamir Jamal starred with the ball for Shaheens, sharing seven wickets between them. Dahani claimed an excellent four-wicket haul, conceding 43 runs in his 10 overs, while Jamal picked up three wickets for 60 runs from his quota of 10 overs.
With the series finely poised, both teams will be eager to make their mark in the upcoming matches and secure the series victory.
Scores in brief:
Pakistan Shaheens beat Zimbabwe Select by five runs on DLS
Zimbabwe Select: 278 all out in 50 overs (Sean Williams 78, Wessly Madhevere 41; Shahnawaz Dahani 4-43, Aamir Jamal 3-60)
Pakistan Shaheens: 263-8 in 46.5 overs (Qasim Akram 57 not out, Haseebullah 49, Mubasir Khan 30; Tendai Chatara
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