Pakistan wrapped up the ODI series against Zimbabwe after a pathetic batting display by the hosts, managing only 67 all out from 25.1 overs.
On a flat batting Queens Sports Club wicket, the Chevrons conspired to record one of their lowest totals ever with a disappointing display that only saw Chamunorwa Chibhabha’s 16, Hamilton and Wellington Masakadza’s 10 being the highest scores.
After having won the toss like in all other matches during this series, captain Hamilton Masakadza stuck with batting first.
Despite coach Lalchand Rajput having pointed to a good batting display as a must in this encounter, six of the batsmen got less than five runs, to set up what is the second lowest total by any side against Pakistan.
Man-of-the-match Faheem Ashraf was the mastermind of the Zimbabwean destruction after recording his career best, taking 5 wickets for 22 runs in 8.1 overs.
When Pakistan took to the crease, with a bouncer, Blessing Muzarabani struck with his very first ball taking the wicket of Imum Ul Haq for a duck.
Fakar Zaman and Babar Azam were ruthless with the bats for the visitors to take the series in just 51 minutes from 9.5 overs with 241 balls to spare.
Zaman scored 43 runs off 24 balls while Azam recorded 19 runs from 34.
Friday and Sunday will see the two sides squaring off in what will be dead rubbers as Pakistan has already won the five match series.
Cricket fans will feel hard done by the performance with the need for Zimbabwe Cricket to fix their impasse with senior players as a matter of urgency if the future of the sport is to be protected.
Source – ZBC
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