- Zimbabwe's veteran all-rounder, Sikandar Raza Butt, led Zimbabwe to an 80-run victory over Pakistan in the rain-affected first ODI.
- Zimbabwe's total was all out for 205 in 41 overs, boosted by a vital 62-run partnership between Raza Butt and Richard Ngarava.
- Pakistan aims to bounce back in the second ODI against Zimbabwe scheduled for Tuesday.
Chasing a target of 206, Pakistan was in deep trouble at 60-6 after 21 overs when rain halted play. The Green Shirts struggled to build any momentum against the Zimbabwe bowlers. Kamran Ghulam (17), Saim Ayub (11), Irfan (7), Salman Ali Agha (4), Abdullah Shafique (1), and Haseebullah Khan all failed to make significant contributions with the bat. By the time rain intervened, Mohammad Rizwan was at the crease with 19 off 43 balls, while Aamer Jamal had yet to score after five deliveries.
Zimbabwe's bowlers were exceptional, making it difficult for Pakistan's batters to gain any footing. Sikandar Raza, Blessing Muzarabani, and Sean Williams each claimed two wickets.
Earlier, Pakistan opted to field and put pressure on Zimbabwe, who were reduced to 125-7. However, a vital 62-run partnership between Sikandar Raza Butt and Richard Ngarava, off 69 balls, boosted Zimbabwe’s total, and they were eventually all out for 205 in 41 overs.
For Pakistan, debutant Faisal Akram impressed with 3 wickets for 24 runs, while Salman Ali Agha also claimed three wickets for 42 runs. Haris Rauf (1-36), Aamer Jamal (1-42), and Mohammad Hasnain (1-43) each took a wicket.
Pakistan will aim to bounce back in the second ODI against Zimbabwe, which is scheduled for Tuesday.
[embedpost slug="/quaid-e-azam-trophy-imam-ul-haq-makes-his-comeback-case-stronger-with-leading-runs/"]
