Richard Ngarava’s gritty 48 and Sikandar Raza’s stellar all-round display (39 & 2/7) powered Zimbabwe to a surprise victory over Pakistan in a rain-curtailed 1st ODI in Bulawayo. The hosts posted 205 before reducing Pakistan to 60/6 when rain forced the match to end, giving Zimbabwe an 80-run win via the DLS method.
Opting to bat, Zimbabwe got off to a quick start, with openers Tadiwanashe Marumani and Joylord Gumbie adding 40 in the PowerPlay. However, Gumbie’s run-out in the sixth over triggered a collapse as Zimbabwe lost five wickets for just 59 runs, slumping to 99/5. Dion Myers and Craig Ervine fell cheaply, while Sean Williams (23) and Brian Bennett offered brief resistance before Agha Salman (3/42) and Faisal Akram (3/24) struck crucial blows.
At 125/7, Zimbabwe looked set for a below-par total until Ngarava and Raza staged a crucial eighth-wicket stand. Ngarava’s aggressive counterattack, including confident pulls against short-pitched deliveries, added 62 runs in 12 overs with Raza. Faisal Akram eventually broke the partnership, finishing with career-best ODI figures.
Pakistan’s chase started disastrously as Blessing Muzarabani (2/9) sent openers Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub back to the pavilion early. Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Rizwan tried to rebuild but found no respite against Sean Williams’ turn. Ghulam edged to the keeper, while Sikandar Raza’s spin further dismantled Pakistan’s middle order, claiming Salman and Haseebullah Khan. Irfan Khan fell to Williams as Pakistan slid to 60/6.
With Rizwan unbeaten at 19 and the target still far, the heavens opened, and Zimbabwe’s disciplined bowling effort earned them a crucial win.
Key Performances:
- Richard Ngarava: 48 (33 balls, 5 fours, 1 six)
- Sikandar Raza: 39 (51 balls, 3 fours) & 2/7 in 4 overs
- Blessing Muzarabani: 2/9 in 6 overs
- Faisal Akram: 3/24 in 8 overs
Brief Scores:
- Zimbabwe: 205 in 40.2 overs (Richard Ngarava 48, Sikandar Raza 39; Faisal Akram 3/24, Agha Salman 3/42)
- Pakistan: 60/6 in 21 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 19*; Sikandar Raza 2/7, Blessing Muzarabani 2/9)
- Result: Zimbabwe won by 80 runs (DLS Method).
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