ZIM vs PAK | Kamran Ghulam’s century coupled with sharp bowling seal the series for Pakistan

Debayan Sinha

ByDebayan Sinha, SportsCafe Editor

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Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 99 runs in Bulawayo to seal a 2-1 series win. Kamran Ghulam’s brilliant 103 off 99 and Abdullah Shafique’s half-century set up a strong total for the visitors while Zimbabwe faltered in their chase and failed to build a substantial partnership leading to their loss.

‌A bright, sunny morning in Bulawayo set the stage for the third ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bat first, a decision that paid off. Openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique looked in fine form, accelerating the score to 46/0 in nine overs. However, Faraz Akram provided the first breakthrough for Zimbabwe, dismissing Ayub in the 13th over. Kamran Ghulam and Shafique then took charge, adding 54 runs to the total and bringing the score to 106/1 in 23 overs. Shafique, in particular, was in excellent touch, reaching a half-century off 67 balls. But immediately after his milestone, he was dismissed by Sikandar Raza, leaving Pakistan at 115/2 in 26 overs. Ghulam continued to impress with the bat, bringing up his own half-century, and along with Rizwan, took the score to 186/2 in 38 overs. However, Rizwan was dismissed by Raza in the 40th over and Ghulam continued his fine innings, scoring his  maiden ODI century off 96 balls. After his century, Ghulam was dismissed, but he had already guided Pakistan to a solid 230/3 in 44 overs. Salman Agha’s 30 off 26 and Tayyab Tahir’s 29 off 16 added valuable runs towards the end and Pakistan finished with a huge total of 303/6 in 50 overs.

 

In response, Zimbabwe were off to a poor start as Ayub scalped Joylord Gumbie in the third over. The worry continued when Dion Myers was dismsid in the same over with the hosts reeling at 14/2 in three overs. However, Craig Ervine and Tadiwanashe Marumani steadied the batting and took the scorcard to 44/2 in seven overs. Additionally,  Marumani was dismsised by Abrar Ahmad in the ninth over. However, Ervine and Sean Willaims looked great with their 41 runs stand and took the scorecard to 90/3 in the 18th over. But their parnetsipsip was broken when Haris Rauf clean bowled Willaims providing  a crucial breakthrough. With Sikandar Raza and Ervine at the crease, the hosts tallied at 101/4 in 20 overs. But the 33 runs stand was broken when Jamal scalped Ervine in the 26th over and in the next over Raza was scalepd by Jamal. With the scorecard at 133/6 in 28 overs, Zimbabwe’s win was almost slipping away. But their spirit was lifted thereafter as Brian Bennett smacked 15 runs off the 32nd over as Zimbabwe needed 145 runs in 18 overs.  But their hope was shortlived as Abrar scalped Bennet who departed after scoring 37 off 27. Ultimately, they were bundled out for 204 runs as they lost the contest by 99 runs as Paksitan won the ODI series 2-1.

‌A bright, sunny morning in Bulawayo set the stage for the third ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bat first, a decision that paid off. Openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique looked in fine form, accelerating the score to 46/0 in nine overs. However, Faraz Akram provided the first breakthrough for Zimbabwe, dismissing Ayub in the 13th over. Kamran Ghulam and Shafique then took charge, adding 54 runs to the total and bringing the score to 106/1 in 23 overs. Shafique, in particular, was in excellent touch, reaching a half-century off 67 balls. But immediately after his milestone, he was dismissed by Sikandar Raza, leaving Pakistan at 115/2 in 26 overs. Ghulam continued to impress with the bat, bringing up his own half-century, and along with Rizwan, took the score to 186/2 in 38 overs. However, Rizwan was dismissed by Raza in the 40th over and Ghulam continued his fine innings, scoring his  maiden ODI century off 96 balls. After his century, Ghulam was dismissed, but he had already guided Pakistan to a solid 230/3 in 44 overs. Salman Agha’s 30 off 26 and Tayyab Tahir’s 29 off 16 added valuable runs towards the end and Pakistan finished with a huge total of 303/6 in 50 overs.

In response, Zimbabwe were off to a poor start as Ayub scalped Joylord Gumbie in the third over. The worry continued when Dion Myers was dismsid in the same over with the hosts reeling at 14/2 in three overs. However, Craig Ervine and Tadiwanashe Marumani steadied the batting and took the scorcard to 44/2 in seven overs. Additionally,  Marumani was dismsised by Abrar Ahmad in the ninth over. However, Ervine and Sean Willaims looked great with their 41 runs stand and took the scorecard to 90/3 in the 18th over. But their parnetsipsip was broken when Haris Rauf clean bowled Willaims providing  a crucial breakthrough. With Sikandar Raza and Ervine at the crease, the hosts tallied at 101/4 in 20 overs. But the 33 runs stand was broken when Jamal scalped Ervine in the 26th over and in the next over Raza was scalepd by Jamal. With the scorecard at 133/6 in 28 overs, Zimbabwe’s win was almost slipping away. But their spirit was lifted thereafter as Brian Bennett smacked 15 runs off the 32nd over as Zimbabwe needed 145 runs in 18 overs.  But their hope was shortlived as Abrar scalped Bennet who departed after scoring 37 off 27. Ultimately, they were bundled out for 204 runs as they lost the contest by 99 runs as Paksitan won the ODI series 2-1.

Big win

Superb

Fantastic

Too good

Congrats

2-1 It is

Super win

Victory

ZIM stands defeated

Lovely

 

 

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