LAHORE, May 26: A career-reviving century by Shoaib Malik and substantial knocks by three other batsmen steered Pakistan to an emphatic 41-run win against Zimbabwe on Tues­day as the Gaddafi Stadium saw the return of one-day international cricket after six years. Pakistan lead the three-match series 1-0.

The second match will be played on Friday.

Chasing a daunting target of 376, Zimbabwe made a heroic attempt for an improbable victory. Elton Chigum­bura, the skipper, led from the front with a courageous maiden century (117 off 95 deliveries). He held the innings together till the 45th over, giving Pakistan a run for their money with some breathtaking strokes.

At one stage Chigumbura, ably supported by Sean Williams, gave Pakistan cause for panic with some ferocious drives and lusty pulls. The skipper was especially harsh on Mohammad Sami, hitting him for three sixes and one four in the 44th over.

But in the next over Wahab Riaz clean bowled Chigum­bura, virtually killing Zimbabwe’s hopes of pulling off an upset. Chigumbura smashed four sixes and 10 fours in his innings.

Wahab was Pakistan’s most successful bowler with three wickets for 47.

Zimbabwe nevertheless succeeded in surpassing their previous highest total of 329 against New Zealand.

Earlier, openers Vusimuzi Sibanda and Sikandar Raza provided an opening stand of 56 in 10 overs. But once they were dismissed, the task looked beyond Zimbabwe. First Sikandar was caught by Hafeez off pacer Anwar Ali for a rapid 36 off 31 balls, laced with four fours.

Nine runs later, Sibanda was caught and bowled by Wahab Riaz for a 36-ball 23. Chigumbura and Masakadza were unable to keep up with the stiff asking rate, which climbed to 9.56 by the 25th over. The score was 137 for two after 25 overs. Masakadza completed his 26th 50 off 57 balls. Both added 100 runs for the third wicket off 98 balls.

Chigumbura also completed his 18th half-century, during the course, slamming a big six to Hafeez . He consumed 52 balls to complete 50. At 189, Shoaib, finally broke the partnership, sending back Masakadza for run-a-ball 73, studded with four boundaries and two sixes.

With the total at 210, Chigumbura got a life when he was 65 as Hammad Azam dropped him off Wahab. He was earlier dropped by Asad Shafiq off Hafeez.

The high and the low

Pakistan’s batting was in sharp contrast to their performance in the last ODI played on home soil in 2009. The home side were all out for a dismal 75, their lowest total in Pakistan, against Sri Lanka at this very ground.

On the other hand, the 375 on Tuesday was not only Pakistan’s highest score at home, but also the highest total in an ODI in this country.

The previous highest was 374 scored by India against Hong Kong in a match of the Asia Cup held in Karachi in 2008.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2015

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