The third ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe, held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday proved to be a nail-biting affair.
Even after 100 overs of riveting action, there was nothing which could differentiate between the two sides. As a result, the game moved towards a Super-Over and Zimbabwe went on to upset the home team.
Earlier, Zimbabwe captain Chamu Chibhabha won the toss and opted to bat first. The visitors put forward a competitive total of 278/6 in their allotted 50 overs.
Newcomer Mohammad Hasnain wreaked havoc with his destructive spell in the powerplay. The right-arm quick reduced Zimbabwe to 22/3 by removing the openers and Craig Ervine.
Brendan Taylor did well to see through Hasnain’s spell and stitched a crucial partnership with Sean Williams. Taylor’s counter-attacking 56 came off just 68 balls, where he smashed eight boundaries.
After Taylor’s dismissal, Williams took the onus on himself to take his side to a respective total. He smashed his fourth ODI ton in the process.
The 34-year old made the Pakistanis chase leather with his brilliant 118* which came off just 138 deliveries. He entertained with 13 boundaries and one maximum during his outing.
Meanwhile, Hasnain picked his maiden five-wicket haul and conceded only 26 runs in his 10 overs, thereby, ending up with excellent figures.
Chasing 279, Pakistan went off to a disastrous start, with the openers back in the pavilion with just 6 on the board in the second over.
The hosts were looking down the barrel in the 18th over, with the score at 88/5 and a monumental chase left.
However, Pakistan relied on their master batsman Babar Azam throughout, who shepherded the run chase with his 12th ODI ton. Azam scored a majestic run-a-ball 125 while losing partners regularly at the other end.
An excellent spell from Blessing Muzarbani ripped open Pakistan’s batting lineup. He picked five wickets and conceded only 46 in his spell. Richard Ngarava (2/62) and Donald Tiripano (2/39) gave ample support to Muzarbani by picking two wickets each.
Pakistan did just enough to reach 278 in 50 overs to take the game to a super over. The hosts crumbled under pressure and lost two wickets, registering only two on the board. Zimbabwe completed the formalities and went on to upset the hosts. The five-match ODI series now stands at 2-1.
Brief Scores:
Zimbabwe 278/6 in 50 overs (Williams 118*, Hasnain 5/26) beat Pakistan 278-9 in 50 overs (Azam 125, Muzarbani 5/46) via Super Over
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