Win Projections to be updated soon
1st Test, Harare, April 29, 2021, 01:00 PM
Zimbabwe
176/10(59.1ov) & 134/10(46.2ov)
Pakistan
426/10(133.0ov)
Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by an innings and 116 runs
That is it from this game! Pakistan take a 1-0 lead in the 2-match Test series. The second Test will be played in Harare on May 7, 2021. Do join us for that at 0930 local (0730 GMT). Till then, take care and cheers!
Babar Azam, Pakistan skipper, says that he is happy with the performance of the boys. Adds that Hasan Ali bowled very well in the first innings. Mentions the batsmen batted very well. Credits Fawad Alam for playing an excellent innings. Further says that they had targeted around 300 when they lost two quick wickets but Alam did well to stay till the end. Azam ends by saying they have got some rest now and they will look to come fresh for the second Test.
Brendan Taylor, Zimbabwe skipper, says that he is disappointed with the performance of the team. Credits Pakistan for playing well. Mentions that if you bowl well wickets will come. Further says that he wanted to use the old ball more that is why they delayed taking the new ball. Taylor also says that the wicket was slow but their batsmen lacked application in their shots and it was poor cricket from them.
Hasan Ali is named the Man of the Match. He says that he has been practicing in the nets and it worked for him. Adds that he tried to keep his line and lengths tight and executed it well. Mentions that he is happy with his performance. Further says that catch of Brendan Taylor which he took was crucial. Hasan Ali says he dedicates this award to his newborn baby.
Zimbabwe bowlers could not restrict Pakistan under 300 as they let the partnership between Fawad Alam and Rizwan grow big. They took Rizwan's wicket and got Ashraf's wicket quickly but they let the partnership between Hasan Ali and Alam to stay till the end of Day 2. On Day 3, they wrapped up the Pakistan innings quickly but they got a lead of 250 runs. It was then going to be difficult for Zimbabwe to survive for two days atleast. Stay tuned for the presentation...
Pakistan batsmen batted very well. They got off to a great start from their openers. Abid Ali was looking good but got out for 60. Azhar Ali started well but played a loose shot to lose his wicket in the process. Babar Azam got out for a golden duck as he fell in the trap set by Zimbabwe. Imran Butt was looking good for his century but got out for 91. From 226/4, Pakistan got a brilliant partnership between Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan. Rizwan was playing well but he got out for 45. Alam scored a brilliant hundred. He was supported well by Hasan Ali on Day 2 in the final session. On Day 3, Hasan Ali could not last longer as he lost his wicket to Blessing Muzarabani. The tail did not wag for long and Pakistan were bowled out for 426.
Pakistan bowlers bowled well in the first innings also. Hasan Ali and Afridi took 4 wickets each and Nauman Ali took a solitary wicket. The bowlers kept it tight and did not let Zimbabwe batsmen score freely. Faheem Ashraf went wicketless in that innings.
Coming to Zimbabwe, their batsmen started well in the second innings but lost wickets at regular intervals. Musakanda was playing well but lost his wicket due to a suicidal run out where the third run was not required. Brendan Taylor started well and played his shots but lost his wicket in the process. He played risky shots and that led to his downfall. Roy Kaia got out for a duck. Regis Chakabva tried to stay longer but lost partners at the other end.
It has been a brilliant victory for Pakistan. They have bowled well and batted well and have completely outplayed Zimbabwe in all departments of the game. Hasan Ali has been the star for them in both the innings as he has picked up 9 wickets in the match. Fawad Alam batted well and scored a crucial hundred to help Pakistan score 426.
In over# 1
0W
4
Hasan Ali 36/5(12.2)
46.2
W
OUT! BOWLED! Hasan Ali gets a five-fer! Yorker on middle, Ngarava looks to dig it out but misses it and gets bowled. He missed it completely. The middle stump goes for a toss. PAKISTAN WIN BY AN INNINGS AND 116 RUNS!
46.1
4
FOUR! On a good length on off, Ngarava looks to defend but gets an outside edge. It goes wide of the gully fielder towards third man for a boundary.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
0
0
Sajid Khan 7/0(4)
45.6
.
Tossed up ball outside off, Chakabva pushes it back towards the bowler.
45.5
.
On off, Chakabva blocks it well.
45.4
1
Flighted delivery on middle, Ngarava flicks it towards square leg for a quick single.
45.3
.
Tossed up delivery on off, Ngarava pushes it back towards the bowler.
45.2
.
Floated delivery on middle, Ngarava looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
45.1
.
Loopy delivery on off, Ngarava punches it to mid off.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Hasan Ali 32/4(12)
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