Zimbabwe and Pakistan. (Source – Getty Images)
The third and final ODI of the three-match series between Zimbabwe and Pakistan saw the visitors batting first for the first time. The batting powerplay was certainly not splendid but was nonetheless, a solid start that the openers provided. Saim Ayub, the centurion from a couple of days back, was the first batter to get dismissed after he held back at deep square leg to grant Faraz Akram his first dismissal.
Out came Kamran Ghulam to accompany Abdullah Shafique, who was well-set at the crease by then. Batting with relative ease, they brought up the team hundred in the 22nd over. However, Shafique could not continue further. The top-order batter departed in the same over in which he registered his sixth half-century. Brian Bennett was taken for 16 runs by Ghulam as the innings gathered momentum.
Mohammad Rizwan was dismissed by Sikandar Raza in the 40th over, bringing the 89-run stand to an end. Ghulam’s century came not long after, as he dismissed a bit of a drag-down to the right of deep midwicket to bring up his first ODI ton off 96 deliveries. The 46th and 47th overs were plundered for 37 runs in total as Pakistan ended up with 303/6 on the board, with Tayyab Tahir ending up with a vital 16-ball 29-run cameo. Sean Williams, although returning wicketless, was the pick of the bowlers in terms of economy rate.
Ayub’s double-wicket over, which was only the third of the run-chase, pegged Zimbabwe back. Tadiwanashe Marumani was progressing smoothly until Abrar Ahmed trapped him in front to start off his spell with a wicket-maiden. The hosts had in fact scored one run more than Pakistan in the first 10. However, they were at a disadvantage having lost three more wickets during the same timeframe.
Another wicket-maiden, this time by Haris Rauf, saw the back of Sean Williams. Skipper Craig Ervine, and Player of the Match from the series opener, Sikandar Raza, hung on together to give their side hope. Four deliveries after Tahir dropped a dolly at midwicket, Ervine chopped on an Aamer Jamal delivery, with Zimbabwe’s five-down at the 26-over mark. Whatever hope Zimbabwe held onto diminished after Raza departed within a span of two overs.
Pakistan clinch the ODI series against Zimbabwe
Benett tried his level best to compensate for his bowling display with his willow. He could not capitalize on the fact that he had got his eyes in as Benett became Abrar’s second victim of the day. Richard Ngarava and Clive Madande departing on successive deliveries saw Pakistan clinch a 99-run win, hence clinching the series by a 1-2 margin.