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Clinical Pakistan demolish Zimbabwe to secure the ODI series 2-1

Bilal Asif ran through the Zimbabwe batting unit with utmost ease 

Rookie Bilal Asif spun a web around the hapless Zimbabwean batsmen to enable Pakistan to win by 7 wickets in the 3rd ODI and thereby, clinch the series 2-1. The offspinner's 5-25 caused a severe dent in the Zimbabwe middle order batsmen whose spineless performance ruined a solid opening partnership. The Pakistani top-order cantered to the target of 161 to seal the victory at the Harare Sports Club.

In the previous encounter, Zimbabwe had produced an invigorating performance to edge over the visitors. The umpires’ decision to pull the players off the field, citing fading light caused a stir in the touring entourage.

But, the Pakistani bowlers produced a vintage performance to crush the Zimbabwean batting line-up. Earlier, Sarfaraz Ahmed stepped in place of the injured Azhar Ali which got him the opportunity to become the 27th captain of the Pakistan ODI team. Opting to bowl on a similar surface to the previous match, he learnt the perils of captaincy almost immediately when the Zimbabwe openers put on 89 runs without losing any wicket.

Man-of-the-Match, Asif came to his rescue and removed Chamu Chibhabha with a loopy delivery. At 89/1, 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.

But, it was not to be in Harare. 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.

Even though it came late, Nyumbu made amends by dismissing the opening batsman. On the other end, Ahmed Shehzad struggled to time the ball properly and his lack of strike-rotation skills meant that he toiled hard to get back into form. Eventually, his discomforting 61-ball 32 was ended by Sean Williams.

Williams restrained the opposition batsmen with his tight spell. Unfortunately for his team, the left-arm part-time spinner’s match figures of 1-29 from 10 overs could not prevent Pakistan from running away with the match and series. Asad Shafiq and Shoaib Malik ensured that the visitors won the match with 16 overs to spare and finished the tour on a positive note by winning the series. Malik capped off the tour with a Man of the Series award.

Pakistan’s next assignment is against England in the UAE from the 13th of October. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe will take on Ireland in a 3-match ODI series in Harare which starts on Friday.

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