Saim leads charge after spinners shine as Pakistan level series against Zimbabwe
BULAWAYO: Saim Ayub struck an unbeaten 113 as Pakistan crushed Zimbabwe by 10 wickets in Bulawayo on Tuesday to level the One-day International series with one match to come.
Zimbabwe were all out for 145 at Queens Sports Club as they sought a second victory over the tourists in three days having won by 80 runs in a rain-shortened tour opener.
Pakistan then atoned for a poor batting show on Sunday with Saim and fellow opener Abdullah Shafique (32 not out) unstoppable as they reached their target in 18.2 overs.
Saim struck 17 fours and three sixes off 62 balls in a 75-minute stand while Abdullah claimed four fours in the southern city.
Saim reached his century off 53 balls — the second fastest in an ODI by a Pakistani after Shahid Afridi.
Zimbabwe, seeking a first ODI series win over Pakistan, utilised five bowlers, but none made an impression with Brandon Mavuta, who conceded 47 runs in four overs, particularly expensive.
“We already forgot the first game and we will try to forget this game as well, as we are trying to stay in the present and take it one game at a time,” said Saim. “In the previous match, the ball was stopping more and the weather was also different. Today, it was slow on one side and better from the other. You had to be careful and I didn’t think I could use all my shots.”
After winning the toss, Zimbabwe were quickly in trouble with openers Joylord Gumbie (five) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (four) back in the pavilion with less than four overs bowled.
Only Dion Myers, who struck six fours in his 33, and veteran Sean Williams, who posted 31 before being trapped leg-before by Saim, impressed for the home team.
Pakistan-born all-rounder Sikandar Raza, often the batting saviour for Zimbabwe, made just 17 before becoming one of three victims of Salman Ali Agha.
“We did not apply ourselves for long enough and did not build any substantial partnerships,” Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine said. “Finding that balance between playing that attacking brand of cricket and spending time out there, batting the 50 overs.”
Abrar Ahmed took four wickets for Pakistan, who arrived in southern Africa after a 3-0 ODI series loss in Australia.
“There’s always pressure when you play an international match, but there was belief as well, since I’ve been bowling consistently in the recent past and was waiting for a chance,” Abrar said in the post-match press conference. “I tried to stick to the basics and the captain gave me confidence.”
Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan was also impressed by Abrar’s show.
“He (Abrar) is an exceptional bowler, a very talented bowler,” said the wicket-keeper.batter. “Unfortunately, he got injured and didn’t get a chance.
“What he bowled today, it is only 70 per cent (of his bowling) and hopefully he can come with 100 percent of what we know Abrar Ahmed can do.”
The Zimbabwe ODI series decider is set for Thursday, followed by three Twenty20 internationals from Sunday, also in Bulawayo. Pakistan then visit South Africa for an all-format tour.
ZIMBABWE:
J. Gumbie b Abrar 5
T. Marumani run out 4
D. Myers lbw b Salman 33
C. Ervine c Rizwan b Salman 18
S. Williams lbw b Saim 31
S. Raza c Abrar b Salman 17
B. Bennett c Kamran b Abrar 14
B. Mavuta lbw b Abrar 3
R. Ngarava b Abrar 2
B. Muzarabani c Abdullah b Faisal 11
T. Gwandu not out 1
EXTRAS (LB-1, W-5) 6
TOTAL (all out, 32.3 overs) 145
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-6 (Marumani), 2-23 (Gumbie), 3-61 (Myers), 4-68 (Ervine), 5-97 (Raza), 6-121 (Williams), 7-125 (Mavuta), 8-132 (Ngarava), 9-133 (Bennett)
BOWLING: Aamir 4-0-24-0 (1w), Abrar 8-2-33-4 (2w), Haris 4-0-26-0 (2w), Salman 7-0-26-3, Saim 4-0-16-1, Faisal 5.3-0-19-1
PAKISTAN:
Saim Ayub not out 113
Abdullah Shafique not out 32
EXTRAS (W-3) 3
TOTAL (no wicket, 18.2 overs) 148
DID NOT BAT: Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan, Aamir Jamal, Haris Rauf, Faisal Akram, Abrar Ahmed
BOWLING: Muzarabani 5-0-30-0 (1w), Ngarava 3-0-17-0, Trevor 2-0-24-0, Raza 4.2-0-30-0 (1w), Mavuta 4-0-47-0 (1w)
RESULT: Pakistan won by 10 wickets.
Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2024
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