Wed, 14 Sep 2011 - Zimbabwe vs Pakistan, Pakistan Tour of Zimbabwe 2011, 3rd ODI - Bulletin

All-round Pakistan complete whitewash

An all-round display by Pakistan saw them complete 3-0 whitewash over Zimbabwe by pocketing the last ODI. Younis Khan helped Pakistan put a competitive 270 on the board and Aizaz Cheema ensured the hosts did not get anywhere near the target, falling short by 28. Although Zimbabwe had a century opening stand but the target proved to be a stiff one against the quality Pakistan attack.

In pursuit of 271, Zimbabwe openers started off pretty slowly as the two Sohails- Tanvir and Khan maintained tight lines. Even though Sibanda was nearly run-out by a direct hit only for the third umpire to give him the benefit of doubt, he unleashed three boundaries in one Tanvir over to provide some momentum to the chase. His partner, Chibhabha focused on the gaps when Pakistan gave Hafeez a go as the two put together a steady opening stand. They added 110 before Sibanda became debutant Yasir Shah’s first victim in one-dayers for 59.

Since, the openers used half the overs for the 110, the rest of the Zimbabwe innings needed quick runs to keep up with the asking rate. But, they lost two quick wickets, that of skipper Taylor and Chibhabha which tilted the balance in favour of the visitors. The latter fell to a soft catch to Younis Khan at cover after having made 88-ball 62.

At 133 for 3 in the 31st over, Hamilton Masakadza was joined by Tatenda Taibu and the two briefly threatened to take Zimbabwe home with few lusty blows but fell in span of six deliveries, with still 92 required the target was too much of an ask for the rest of the batsmen. Younis Khan’s spectacular diving catch in the deep to dismiss Taibu was definitely a highlight of the Pakistan fielding that was unusually sharp.

For Pakistan, Aizaz Cheema after a good showing on the tour thus far continued to impress with figures of 4 for 43. Having already got Taylor, he returned to polish off the Zimbabwean lower order. He got three wickets in three over as the wheels came off the chase. Eventually, they feel short of the target by 28 runs, finishing with 242 for 9.

Earlier, Pakistan looked set for a total in vicinity of 300 but Zimbabwe bowled well towards the end of the innings to restrict them to 270 on a flat track. After being put in, the visitors were helped by a fluent 81 from Younis Khan but lost wickets at crucial junctures to be pegged back. Asad Shafiq who got a chance in the playing eleven in place of Umar Akmal played well for his 51.

Zimbabwe experimented with relatively inexperienced new ball bowlers after leaving Chris Mpofu, it showed as Brian Vitori and Kyle Jarvis were all over the place in the first three overs during which Pakistan raced to 34 for no loss. However, they regained some control while Hafeez hit a pull straight down the throat of deep midwicket.

Pakistan progressed steadily till Imran Farhat’s wicket in the 15th over but the introduction of Ray Price slowed down the run rate as the new batsman, Younis Khan took some time to get his eye in. Once settled at the crease, Younis looked in superb touch and made most of the good batting conditions. He combined with Asad Shafiq to add 97 runs for the third wicket at a decent rate.

To begin with, Younis concentrated on singles but the odd bad ball was treated with utmost disdain. Shafiq looking to cement a place in the side hit three boundaries and a six in his 72-ball 51. Although, Younis swept well throughout his innings, but his best shot was an inside-out scoop off Price over extra-cover that took him to fifty. At 173 for 2 in the 34th over, Pakistan were on course for a big total but Shafiq’s wicket did take away some of the momentum.

Zimbabwe had a mixed day in the field, while they dropped the easier chances but held on to the difficult ones. Younis Khan after being put down on two occasions was smartly caught by Jarvis off his own bowling for 81. Before that, Shoaib Malik also went in a similar manner as the twin-blow put brakes on the scoring.To their credit Zimbabwe bowlers realized that Adnan Akmal and Misbah-ul-Haq were not the best hitters in the world and kept things quiet in the last ten overs that also included the batting power play. Only 57 runs came during that period as Pakistan could only post 270 even though a target of 300 was also being discussed at one point.