Debutant Tinotenda Maposa backed his bowling figures of 1/12 with a match-winning cameo of 12 not out to power Zimbabwe to a thrilling two-wicket consolation victory in the final T20I of the three-match series here at Queens Sports Club on Thursday.

The home side had a flying start to the run chase as they were 73/1 in 9.3 overs with opening batter Brian Bennet and Dion Myers at the crease.

Emerging spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, however, provided the visitors with a vital breakthrough, dismissing set batter Bennet, who remained the top-scorer for Zimbabwe with a 35-ball 43, laced with seven boundaries including a six.

His dismissal sparked a middle-order collapse, which saw the home side slipping to 94/5 in 14 overs.

Skipper Sikandar Raza offered some resistance against a momentum-filled Pakistan’s bowling attack until his dismissal off Jahandad Khan in the 18th over.

Abbas Afridi, who returned brilliant figures of 3/23, inflicted another dent to Zimbabwe’s pursuit by getting rid of Wellington Masakadza (six).

The hosts then needed 12 off the final over with Maposa on strike.

The right-handed batter smashed Jahandad for a four and a six on the first two deliveries of the decisive over, which eventually proved enough to lead Zimbabwe to a narrow two-wicket victory.

Opting to bat first, the touring side could only accumulated 132/7 in the allotted 20 overs despite skipper Salman Ali Agha’s 32-run knock.

Pakistan had a dismal start to their innings as young opener Omair Bin Yousuf perished for a golden duck on the second delivery of the second over with just four runs on the board.

The green shirts lost two more wickets in quick succession and had consequently slipped to 19/3 in four overs.

Emerging middle-order batter Tayyab Tahir briefly bolstered the team’s total with a brisk cameo, which lasted in the eighth over with the scoreboard reading 52/4 in 7.4 overs.

Tahir struck two fours and a six on his way to a 14-ball 21.

Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Agha was involved in cautious partnerships with Qasim Akram (20) and Arafat Minhas before finally perishing in the 15th over.

Agha remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a run-a-ball 32, which included three boundaries.

Minhas then joined hands with Abbas Afridi for an important 27-run partnership for the seventh wicket, which lasted with the latter’s dismissal in the penultimate over. Abbas scored 15 off 14.

Meanwhile, Minhas carried his bat with an unbeaten 22 off 26 deliveries, while Jahandad Khan made six not out.

For Zimbabwe, Muzarabani bagged two wickets, while Wellington Masakadza, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava and Ryan Burl shared four wickets between them.

The two-wicket victory helped Zimbabwe avoid the clean sweep in the series, won by Pakistan 2-1.

Pakistan bagged a dominating victory against Zimbabwe by 10 wickets to clinch three-match series after outclassing the hosts in second T20I played at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Tuesday.

Earlier, Pakistan sent back all Zimbabwe batters to pavilion at just 57 runs following Sufiyan Muqeem’s five-fer in the second T20I of the three-match series being played at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday.

The hosts’ captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to bat first. His decision, however, backfired as Zimbabwe’s batting unit unfolded on a meagre 57 in the 13th over.

The home side got off to a decent start to their innings as openers Tadiwanashe Marumani and Biran Bennett batted sensibly up top.

The opening duo registered a brisk 37-run partnership, which lasted with Marumani’s dismissal off Abbas Afridi in the fifth over. He scored 16 off 14 deliveries with the help of three boundaries.

Fellow opener Bennett followed the suit, just three balls later, as he fell victim to Haris Rauf. Bennett remained the top-scorer for Zimbabwe with a 14-ball 21.

The back-to-back dismissals sparked a match-defining collapse, majorly inflicted by the spinners, resulting in Zimbabwe slipping from 37/2 to 57 all out.

Besides openers, none of the Zimbabwe batters could amass double figures as Pakistan bowlers dominated the proceedings.

Left-arm spinner Muqeem was the standout bowler for the green shirts, returning bowling figures of 5/3 in 2.4 overs – the best by a Pakistan bowler in men’s T20Is, only behind Umar Gul’s 5/6.

Right-arm pacer Abbas bagged two wickets, while Rauf, Salman Ali Agha and Abrar Ahmed chipped in with a wicket apiece.

For the unversed, Pakistan lead the ongoing three-match series against Zimbabwe 1-0, courtesy of their commanding 57-run victory in the series opener.

Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem spun Pakistan to a 57-run victory over Zimbabwe in the first T20I of the three-match series at Queens Sports Club on Sunday.

Chasing a 164-run target, Zimbabwe’s batting unit unfolded on a meagre 108 in the 15.3 overs despite brisk knocks by skipper Sikandar Raza and opener Tadiwanashe Marumani.

The home side had a shaky start to the pursuit as they lost two wickets inside three overs with just 18 runs on the board.

But, a quickfire knock by Marumani had kept Zimbabwe on track until his agonizing dismissal in the ninth over. He scored 33 off just 20 balls, laced with four fours and a six.

His dismissal opened the floodgates as the home side slipped from 77/2 to 108 all out despite a gutsy 39-run knock by Raza during the collapse.

For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem claimed three wickets each, followed by Haris Rauf with two, while Jahandad Khan chipped in with one scalp.

Opting to bat first, the Men in Green got off to an unwanted start to their innings as they lost young opener Omair Bin Yousuf as he fell victim to Richard Ngarava in the third over after scoring 16 off 13 deliveries with the help of two boundaries including a six.

Walking out to bat at number three, Usman Khan took the reins of Pakistan’s batting expedition with a defiant knock.

He was also involved in two crucial partnerships with Saim Ayub (24) and captain Salman Ali Agha before finally perishing in the 13th over with 91 runs on the board.

The right-handed batter remained the joint top-scorer for Pakistan with a 30-ball 39, studded with two fours and as many sixes.

Following his dismissal, Sikandar Raza reduced Pakistan to 100/4 in 14.2 overs by getting rid of Agha, who played a scratchy 13 from 19 balls.

Following the slump, Tayyab and Muhammad Irfan Khan registered an unbeaten 65-run partnership to push their team’s total past the 160-run mark.

Tayyab struck five boundaries including a six on his way to an unbeaten 35 off 29 deliveries, while Irfan made 27 not out from 15 balls.

Earlier, the Men in Green won the toss and elected to bat first against the host nation.

On Thursday, the Men in Green inflicted a 99 runs defeat on Zimbabwe in the third One Day International to win the series by 2-1.

Pakistan and Zimbabwe enter the three-match series with contrasting momentums.

The home side are unbeaten in their previous five appearance in the format, part of their perfect run at the recently-held ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier.

Whereas, the green shirts are carrying the weight of a 3-0 clean sweep defeat against Australia, their first series after a dismal campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which marked their first-ever group stage exit from the tournament.

PLAYING XIs

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Omair Bin Yousuf, Salman Agha (c), Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf.

Zimbabwe: Brain Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Tawandanashe Marumani (wk), Tashinga Musekiwa, Richard Ngarava, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Wellington Masakadza

HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and Zimbabwe have come face-to-face 18 times in T20Is with the former boasting a dominant record with 16 victories, compared to the opposition’s two, which included a famous one-run victory during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

Matches 18, Pakistan 16, Zimbabwe 2

Pakistan on Thursday inflicted a 99 runs defeat on Zimbabwe in the third One Day International to win the series by 2-1 at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo on Thursday.

Earlier, the Green Shirts won the toss and elected to bat first against the hosts.

Kamran Ghulam’s maiden century, followed by a combined bowling effort, steered Pakistan to a resounding victory over Zimbabwe in the ODI series decider.

Chasing a daunting 304-run target, the home side only managed 204 despite skipper Craig Ervine’s gutsy half-century.

Zimbabwe got off to a shaky start to the run chase as they were reduced to 10/2 inside three overs.

Following the slump, Ervine joined hands with Tadiwanashe Marumani and forged a cautious 39-run partnership, lasted with the latter’s dismissal in the ninth over.

Ervine was then involved in another crucial partnership, when he added 41 runs for the fourth wicket with Sean Williams before eventually falling victim to Aamir Jamal in the 26th over.

He remained the top-scorer for Zimbabwe with a 63-ball 51, laced with five fours and a six.

Opting to bat first, the touring side accumulated 303/6 in the allotted 50 overs, thanks to anchoring knocks by Kamran and Abdullah Shafique.

The visitors got off to a steady start, with openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah knitting a solid 58-run partnership.

The opening pair appeared in complete control until Saim faltered against Faraz Akram in the 13th over.

The last match’s centurion scored 31 off 37 deliveries with the help of three fours and a six.

Coming out to bat at number three, Kamran took the reins of Pakistan’s batting expedition. He was involved in two crucial partnerships for the green shirts, including an 89-run stand with captain Mohammad Rizwan (37 off 47 balls).

Kamran Ghulam smashed 10 fours and four sixes on his way to a 99-ball 103 and top-scored for Pakistan. He was followed by opener Abdullah, who made 50 off 68 deliveries, laced with five fours and a six.

Later, vice-captain Salman Ali Agha and middle-order batter Tayyab Tahir pushed the team’s total past the 300-run mark with brisk cameos.

Agha scored 30 off 26 balls, while Tayyab made an unbeaten 29 off 16 deliveries, laced with four boundaries.

Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava led the bowling charge for Zimbabwe with two wickets each, while Blessing Muzarabani and Akram struck out one batter apiece.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi congratulated the players, saying the team outclassed Zimbabwe on third day to win series.

Playing Xis
Pakistan are unchanged, while Zimbabwe made two changes.

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Aamir Jamal, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed and Faisal Akram.

Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Joylord Gumbie (wk), Trevor Gwandu, Craig Ervine (c), Tawandanashe Marumani, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams.

Kamran Ghulam struck his maiden ODI century to help Pakistan post 303-6 in the third ODI of the three-match series against Zimbabwe here at Queens Sports Club on Thursday.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan opted to bat first and fielded an unchanged side. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe made two changes with Clive Madande and Faraz Akram coming in for Trevor Gwandu and Brandon Mavuta.

Faraz Akram drew first blood for Zimbabwe as he removed Saim Ayub, who smashed a whirlwind century in the last match, in the 13th over with 58 runs on the board.

Abdullah Shafique then added 54 runs for the second wicket with Kamran Ghulam to push Pakistan’s total to 112. However, Abdullah fell prey to Sikandar Raza after scoring 50 off 68.

Kamran was joined by Rizwan, who scored 37 off 47, and together they built a solid 89-run partnership for the third wicket. Rizwan was also dismissed by Sikandar.

After Rizwan’s dismissal, Kamran switched gears and completed his maiden ODI century before Richard Ngarava ended his entertaining knock. Kamran scored 103 runs from 99 balls with the help of ten boundaries and four sixes.

Salman Ali Agha (30) and Tayyab Tahir (29*) then played valuable cameos to take Pakistan’s total to 303-6 in the allocated 50 overs.

For Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava took two wickets each, while Blessing Muzarabani and Faraz Akram bagged one each.

It’s worth noting that the series is levelled 1-1 after Pakistan made a resounding comeback in the second match to thump Zimbabwe by ten wickets. Prior to that Zimbabwe had won the first ODI by 80 runs in the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) Method.

Playing Xis

Pakistan are unchanged, while Zimbabwe make two changes.

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Aamir Jamal, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed and Faisal Akram.

Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Joylord Gumbie (wk), Trevor Gwandu, Craig Ervine (c), Tawandanashe Marumani, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams.

Pakistan spinners — spearheaded by Salman Ali Agha and Abrar Ahmed — restricted Zimbabwe at 145 in the crucial second match of three-match One Day International (ODI) in Bulawayo on Tuesday.

The Zimbabwe batters who made a mark, though not much impressive, include Dion Myers (33 off 30), captain Craig Ervine (18 off 35), Sean Williams (31 off 39) and Sikandar Raza (17 off 17), almost all of the rest crumbled for paltry score.

Abrar took four and Agha three scalps, reducing the hosts to a meagre total.

Earlier, Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first.

The Green Shirts face losing their first-ever three-match ODI series to Zimbabwe, a team generally regarded as the underdog in this game, following a startling 80-run loss in the rain-hit series opener.

Zimbabwe have never been able to win a three-match ODI series, despite having some noteworthy wins over Pakistan, such as a one-off ODI victory in 1995, an ODI victory in 2015, and an exciting Super Over victory in 2021.

Sunday’s conclusive defeat served as a warning call to Pakistan, particularly following their recent victory against Australia on their home turf, The News reported.

The pressure is mounting on newly appointed white-ball head coach Aaqib Javed, whose debut series has started on a sour note.

Skipper Mohammad Rizwan stood out with an unbeaten knock in the first ODI, but the rest of the batting order faltered against Zimbabwean spinners Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams, who ruthlessly exploited the visiting side’s vulnerabilities.

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Aamir Jamal, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed and Faisal Akram.

Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Joylord Gumbie (wk), Trevor Gwandu, Craig Ervine (c), Tawandanashe Marumani, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams.

Abrar Ahmed’s four-wicket haul, followed by a quickfire century by Saim Ayub, propelled Pakistan to a crushing 10-wicket victory in the second ODI of the three-match series here at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday.

Set to chase a modest 146, Pakistan comfortably amassed the total without losing a wicket and 190 balls to spare, thanks to Saim’s blistering century.

The left-handed batter dominated the match-winning partnership with sensational hitting, which saw him scoring his maiden ODI century in just 53 balls.

His brisk century was the third-fastest by a Pakistan batter in men’s ODIs, only behind legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi.

Saim top-scored for Pakistan with an unbeaten 113 off just 62 balls, studded with 20 boundaries including three sixes, while Abdullah Shafique made 32 not out.

Opting to bat first, Zimbabwe only managed 145 runs before getting bundled out in the 33rd over.

The home side had a shaky start to their innings as their openers Tadiwanashe Marumani (4) and Joylord Gumbie (5) perished after making meagre contributions.

Following the slump, top-order batter Dion Myers and skipper Craig Ervine briefly anchored the innings with a 38-run partnership.

Myers, who was the core aggressor of the crucial stand, fell victim to Salman Ali Agha in the 13th over. He remained the top-scorer for the hosts with a 30-ball 33, laced with six boundaries.

Agha inflicted a middle-order collapse by dismissing Ervine and Sikandar Raza in quick succession, reducing the hosts to 97/5 in 20.2 overs.

Experienced all-rounder Sean Williams offered a notable fight with a cautious 31 off 39 deliveries.

However, following his departure in the 26th over with 121 runs on the board, Zimbabwe could add 24 runs for the loss of their remaining wickets despite Blessing Muzarabani’s 11-run cameo.

Abrar was the standout bowler for Pakistan, taking four wickets, followed by Agha with three scalps, while Faisal Akram and Saim Ayub struck out one batter apiece.

The 10-wicket victory lifted Pakistan to level the three-match series 1-1, with the final ODI scheduled to take place on Thursday at the same venue.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Monday the playing XI for the second ODI between the Green Shirts and Zimbabwe set to be played at the Queen Sports Club.

Two changes have been made to the team. Tayyab Tahir will play in place of Haseebullah Khan, and Mohammad Hasnain has been replaced by Abrar Ahmed.

The second ODI at Queens Sports Club tomorrow (Tuesday) will mark Abrar’s debut in ODI cricket.

Moreover, batters Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, and Kamran Ghulam have been retained in the team.

Along with skipper and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, the side includes Salman Ali Agha, Irfan Niazi and Amir Jamal.

Haris Rauf will lead the pace department as Faisal Akram’s spin skills will be in action tomorrow against the hosting side.

Zimbabwe lead the three-match ODI series by 1-0, having won the first match by 80 runs using the DLS method.

They were restricted by Pakistani bowlers on 205 but the visiting team failed to cement themselves and were 60/6 when the rain started to heavily pour in Bulawayo.

जिम्बाब्वे और पाकिस्तान के बीच वनडे सीरीज का पहला मुकाबला 24 नवंबर (रविवार) को बुलावायो के क्वींस स्पोर्ट्स क्लब में खेला गया. इस मुकाबले में जिम्बाब्वे ने डीएलएस नियम के तहत 80 रनों से जीत हासिल की. इस जीत के साथ ही मेजबान जिम्बाब्वे ने तीन मैचों की सीरीज में 1-0 की लीड ली. दूसरा वनडे 26 नवंबर को इसी मैदान पर खेला जाएगा.

पाकिस्तानी बल्लेबाजों का शर्मनाक प्रदर्शन

इस मुकाबले में जिम्बाब्वे ने पाकिस्तान को जीत के लिए 206 रनों का टारगेट दिया था. जवाब में पाकिस्तान ने जब 21 ओवरों में 6 विकेट पर 60 रन बनाए थे, तभी बारिश आ गई. उसके बाद आगे का खेल नहीं हो सका. उस वक्त जिम्बाब्वे 80 रनों से आगे था. ऐसे में जिम्बाब्वे को डीएल नियम से विजेता घोषित कर दिया गया.

39 with the bat
2/7 with the ball @SRazaB24 is the Player of the Match for his excellent all-round display in #ZIMvPAK pic.twitter.com/1LwxfEorzH

सम्बंधित ख़बरें

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) November 24, 2024

जिम्बाब्वे के लिए रिचर्ड नगारवा ने सबसे ज्यादा 52 गेंदों पर 48 रन बनाए, जिसमें पांच चौके के अलावा एक सिक्स शामिल रहा. वहीं सिकंदर रजा ने छह चौके की मदद से 39 रन बनाए. तदिवानाशे मारुमनी ने 29 और सीन विलियम्स ने 23 रनों की उपयोगी पारियां खेलीं. पाकिस्तान के लिए आगा सलमान और फैसल अकरम ने तीन-तीन विकेट लिए थे.

पाकिस्तानी टीम ने रनचेज के दौरान लगातार विकेट खोए. ऐसे में जब बारिश आई, तब तक वो मुकाबले में पिछड़ चुकी थी. कप्तान मोहम्मद रिजवान ने 19 रन बनाने के लिए 43 गेंदें खेलीं. इसके अलावा कामरान गुलाम (17) और सैम अयूब (11) ही डबल डिजिट में पहुंच सके. जिम्बाब्वे के लिए ब्लेसिंग मुजारबानी, सिकंदर रजा और  सीन विलियम्स ने दो-दो विकेट लिए. ऑलराउंड प्रदर्शन के लिए सिकंदर रजा को प्लेयर ऑफ द मैच चुना गया.

जिम्बाब्वे की प्लेइंग इलेवन: तदिवानाशे मारुमनी (विकेटकीपर), जॉयलॉर्ड गम्बी, डियोन मायर्स, क्रेग इर्विन (कप्तान), सीन विलियम्स, सिकंदर रजा, ब्रायन बेनेट, ब्रैंडन मावुता, रिचर्ड नगारवा, ब्लेसिंग मुजारबानी, ट्रेवर ग्वांडू.

पाकिस्तान की प्लेइंग इलेवन: सैम अयूब, अब्दुल्लाह शफीक, कामरान गुलाम, मोहम्मद रिजवान (विकेटकीपर/कप्तान), हसीबुल्लाह खान, आगा सलमान, इरफान खान, आमेर जमाल, हारिस रऊफ, मोहम्मद हसनैन, फैसल अकरम.

Zimbabwe defeated Pakistan through the Duckworth-Lewis (DLS) method by 80 runs in the first one-day international (ODI) of the three-match series on Sunday at Queens Sports Club.

The hosts had posted a total of 206 runs after they were bundled out by the Green Shirts in 40.2 overs.

Beginning their chase, Pakistan lost wickets in rapid succession taking them to 60/6 in the 21st over of the second innings.

The match was then stopped due to rain and later called off, resulting in Zimbabwe to lead ODI series by 1-0.

Earlier, Pakistan had won the toss and invited Zimbabwe to bat first.

National side spinners — vice captain Salman Ali Agha and debutant Faisal Akram — destroyed Zimbabwe batting lineup for a modest total. Both took three wickets apiece.

Aamir Jamal (42/1) and Mohammad Hasnain (43/1) turned out to be the most expensive bowlers for the Green Shirts.

Zimbabwe’s Joylord Gumbie (15) got run out in sixth over, then his successor Dion Myers (8) was caught off Agha in 10th.

Tadiwanashe Marumani made (29 off 44) before departing on Agha’s ball. Captain Craig Ervine (6 off 12) failed to impress with the bat as Saim Ayub caught him off Haris Rauf.

Then Brandon Mavuta (1) was routed by Jamal and Brian Bennett (20) by Faisal.

Lower middle order batsman Sikandar Raza (39 off 56) and tail-ender Richard Ngarava (48 off 52) put up modest resistance before Pakistan concluded the innings with opponents’ all out.

This is Green Shirts’ second ODI series this month after they beat Australia 2-1 in a historic achievement down under earlier this month.

In the 15-member squad, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been replaced with uncapped duo of Abrar Ahmed and Ahmed Daniyal along with pacer Shahnawaz Dahani and Tayyab Tahir.

Pakistan and Zimbabwe last faced each other in the 50-over format in November 2020 in Rawalpindi where the national side beat the visitors 2-1.

Pakistan, on their last visit to Zimbabwe whitewashed the Chevrons in a five-match ODI series in July 2018.

The ODI series will be followed by a three-match T20Is at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Pakistan XI: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain) and Saim Ayub.

Zimbabwe XI: Craig Ervine (captain), Brian Bennett, Blessing Muzarabani, Brandon Mavuta, Dion Myers, Joylord Gumbie, Richard Ngarava, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Trevor Gwandu.