Win Projections to be updated soon
1st ODI, Rawalpindi, October 30, 2020, 12:30 PM
Pakistan
281/8(50.0ov)
Zimbabwe
255/10(49.4ov)
Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 26 runs
Well, that's it from the 1st ODI then. What a thrilling way to get underway in the ODI series. We had a nail-biter of a finish, where Pakistan showed all class. And there are 2 more ODIs on the way. The second one begins at 12 PM Local (0700 GMT) on Sunday, 1st November 2020. We hope to have your company for that. Until then, take care and goodbye from our side.
Babar Azam, Pakistan's VICTORIOUS SKIPPER, says that he was expecting a close finish like this. States that Zimbabwe batted well. Admits that from Pakistan's side their opening with the bat was not good. Will sit and discuss that and see to improve that, he says. Says further that in the first innings, it was two-paced and hence he struggled. On reserving Afridi and Riaz towards the end, Azam states that the duo performed really well. Says that Riaz is an experienced player and Afridi is also slowly becoming one.
Chamu Chibhabha, Zimbabwe's captain, says that the Pakistani bowlers put them under pressure towards the end and deserve credit for the same. States that Zimbabwe's bowlers bowled well, especially to the Pakistani openers. Admits honestly though that after a good start with the ball, they allowed it to slip away in the end. Praises Wesley Madhevere for his good knock. States that they need to keep such a momentum going forward as well.
Brendan Taylor is the MAN OF THE MATCH, 110 runs from 117 balls. Says that the plan was to try and bat well throughout. Adds that the Pakistani bowling was really good. On Wesley's knock, Brendan agrees it was a very good knock from Madhevere. States that Wesley was enjoying himself out in the middle. Adds that the pace slowed down later and that the Zimbabwe batters had to put more effort. Given the tough bowling prowess of Pakistan, it was imperative for Zimbabwe to bat well, he says.
Please stay tuned for the presentation ceremony.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat first. They started off on a sluggish note, lost wickets in the middle but picked up fairly well in the end to get to 281/8. One would wonder that was not enough given their batting prowess but their bowlers proved that notion wrong. They struck early and struck back again to dismiss Madhevere and Taylor and then seal the deal in the hosts' favour.
Pakistan's bowlers were splendid with the ball. They more than made up for their batsmen's shortcomings. This wicket had everything for the pacers and that was proven right by the Pakistani pacers. Afridi and Riaz, 9 wickets amongst them, the former picked up 5 and the latter 4. Besides that, they kept a tight noose on the scoring rate as well. Apart from them, Wasim bowled decently and got a wicket. Rauf and Ashraf were a touch expensive and unfortunately, could not manage anything in this game.
Chasing 282 for a win, Zimbabwe got off to a shaky start as they lost a wicket in just the 3rd ball of the chase. They lost another shortly but that did not dampen their scoring rate, which was going decently well. But it slowed down in the middle again and the required rate started picking up. Ervine and Williams fell later on. But Taylor and Madhevere stitched an excellent partnership of 119 to put Zimbabwe in close contention. But they both fell in quick succession and after that it was all downhill for Zimbabwe as the rest crumbled like shortbread, handing Pakistan a 26 run win in the end.
Wahab Riaz and Shaheen Afridi share 9 wickets between them and blow away Zimbabwe. What a valiant effort from the latter. Congratulations all around in the Pakistan dressing room. But there is a lot for Zimbabwe to take from this game as well.
49.4
W
OUT! BOWLED! Wahab finishes things in style! Execution of fast yorker from these two Pakistani bowlers. This time it is Riaz. A near-perfect yorker. Muzarabani fails to dig out and the stumps behind are shattered. Pakistan win by 26 runs.
49.3
.
Play and a miss. A good length ball outside off, Muzarabani looks to pull but misses.
49.2
.
Good change of pace. Full and outside off, Muzarabani looks to drive but is beaten for the slower one.
49.1
4
FOUR! That will help. Full and around off and middle, Blessing nails the drive straight past the bowler for a boundary. Need to keep them coming though.
In over# 1
1
0
0W
4
0
0W
Shaheen Afridi 49/5(10)
48.6
1
A single to end a fantastic spell. Full and around off, pushed towards the off side for one. 5/49 from Afridi.
48.5
.
Full and outside off, driven towards the cover fielder.
Blessing Muzarabani is the last man in for Zimbabwe.
48.4
W
OUT! TIMBER! FIFER FOR AFRIDI! A terrific yorker and Chisoro has no answer. Full, fast and straight. You miss, I hit delivery from Afridi. Chisoro backs away again but this time fails to make any connection. The off pole takes the beating.
48.3
4
EDGED AND FOUR! Good length ball just outside off, Chisoro backs away and looks to cut but gets a thick outside edge that flies over the keeper for a boundary.
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