BULAWAYO: Kamran Ghu­lam struck a maiden One-day Int­e­rnational century as Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 99 runs to seal a 2-1 series victory here at the Queens Sports Club on Thursday.

The right-handed batter’s 103 helped Pakistan reach 303-6 in 50 overs — a total Zimbabwe never look like bettering and the hosts were all out for 204 in 40.1 overs.

It was Pakistan’s 56th victory in 65 ODIs against Zimbabwe.

After losing a rain-shortened first match in the southern city by 80 runs last Sunday, the tourists bounced back to wallop the home team by 10 wickets two days later.

Speaking to media after the match, the 29-year-old Kamran said the century would boost his confidence for important series ahead.

“The [debut Test] century against England [last October] gave me confidence, and similarly this [ODI] century will further enhance my confidence,” the 29-year-old said.

“When I came in to bat, the wicket did not look easy, it was a bit slow and gripping. Therefore, I gradually settled myself and then built the innings.

“This is good preparation for the coming series in South Africa and the ICC Champions Trophy,” he added.

“I had already toured Zimbabwe with the ‘A’ team [Shaheens]. So, I had the idea of the playing conditions. Moreover, we recently won the ODI series in Australia which also made me confident.”

Kamran continued, “[Captain] Mohammad Rizwan supported and guided me during my stay at the wicket which helped me build my innings.”

Rizwan said that the series triumph would boost his team.

“I am proud because we lost the first ODI and expectations from the country were high,” Rizwan said.

“We came back to win the series and that has given us confidence. Away matches are always difficult, always different from home.”

Pakistan won the toss, opted to bat and after the loss of opener Saim Ayub with 58 on the scoreboard, Kamran took centre stage.

Initially cautious, the No. 3 batter gradually accelerated the run-rate and put on 54 for the second wicket with opener Abdullah Shafique.

Having posted a half century, Abdullah fluffed an attempted sweep and was trapped leg before by Pakistan-born all-rounder Sikandar Raza. His 68-ball knock included a six and five fours.

Kamran continued to torment the Zimbabwe bowlers with various partners, striking four sixes and 10 fours off 99 deliveries before becoming the fourth Pakistani wicket to fall, caught at deep cover by Clive Madande off Richard Ngarava.

Raza and Ngarava took two wickets each for Zimbabwe, but at a heavy cost, conceding 102 runs between them. The last five overs were particularly expensive as Pakistan added 69.

Zimbabwe began disastrously in response to the formidable Pakistan total with opener Joylord Gumbie and Dion Myers out and just 10 runs on the board.

Veteran captain Craig Ervine made 51 in a 63-ball stand that included six boundaries, one a six before dragging an Aamer Jamal bouncer on to the leg stump.

Raza, often the Zimbabwe saviour, was also fell to Aamer for 16, caught at deep square leg after mistiming a short delivery from the fast medium pacer.

Zimbabwe and Pakistan begin a three-match Twenty20 International series in Bulawayo on Sunday. The tourists then head to South Africa for an eight-match all-formats tour, including two Tests.

Scoreboard

PAKISTAN:

Saim Ayub c Madande b Akram31
Abdullah Shafique lbw Raza50
Kamran Ghulam c Madande b Ngarava103
Mohammad Rizwan c Myers b Raza37
Salman Ali Agha c Bennett b Ngarava30
Tayyab Tahir not out29
Mohammad Irfan c Williams b Muzarabani3
Aamir Jamal not out5

EXTRAS (LB-2, NB-2, W-11)15
TOTAL (for six wickets, 50 overs)303
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-58 (Saim), 2-112 (Abdullah), 3-201 (Rizwan), 4-232 (Kamran), 5-273 (Salman), 6-283 (Irfan)
DID NOT BAT: Haris Rauf, Faisal Akram, Abrar Ahmed
BOWLING: Raza 10-0-47-2, Ngarava 10-0-55-2 (1w, 1nb), Muzarabani 10-0-66-1 (3w), Williams 10-0-43-0, Akram 8-0-63-1 (2w, 1nb), Bennett 2-0-27-0

ZIMBABWE:

J. Gumbie c Tayyab b Saim5
T. Marumani lbw Abrar24
D. Myers c Faisal b Saim4
C. Ervine b Aamir51
S. Williams b Haris24
S. Raza c Abdullah b Aamir16
B. Bennett c Salman b Abrar37
C. Madande lbw Haris20
F. Akram c Abdullah b Kamran5
R. Ngarava b Faisal17

EXTRAS (W-1)1
TOTAL (all out, 40.1 overs)204
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-6 (Gumbie), 2-10 (Myers), 3-49 (Marumani), 4-90 (Williams), 5-123 (Ervine), 6-130 (Raza), 7-170 (Bennett), 8-175 (Akram), 9-204 (Ngarava)
DID NOT BAT: B. Muzarabani
BOWLING: Saim 4-0-29-2, Salman 7-0-33-0, Abrar 9-2-45-2, Haris 7.1-1-34-2, Aamir 5-1-19-2 (1w), Faisal 6-0-37-1, Kamran 2-0-7-1

RESULT: Pakistan won by 99 runs.
PLAYER-OF-THE-MATCH: Kamran Ghulam
SERIES: Pakistan won the three-match series 2-1.
PLAYER-OF-THE-SERIES: Saim Ayub

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2024