PAK VS ZIM ODI

Right then, that wraps up the ODI series. Zimbabwe did spring a surprise in the first game, but Pakistan showed their class in the next two matches to clinch the series victory. Mohammad Rizwan collects the trophy and hands it over to the younger players in the squad. It's all smiles in the Pakistan camp as they celebrate the series win. Both teams now shift their focus to the T20I format, with the first T20I scheduled for Sunday, 1st December. All three T20Is of the series will be played here in Bulawayo at the Queens Sports Club. The first ball will be bowled at 11 am GMT, but as always, you can join us in advance for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

The captain of Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan says that he feels proud of the team for winning the series. Adds that he was a little bit disappointed after the loss in the first game. Mentions that there are many expectations of fans and he is happy that he can live up to them. States that with the rain being a factor, he started with spinners in an attempt to reach the 20-over mark quickly. Feels that this is probably first time that Pakistan bowled 20 overs in an hour.

Zimbabwean captain, Craig Ervine reflects on his team's struggles in the series, emphasizing that losing early wickets at the top of the order has been a consistent issue. He notes that the inability to build partnerships has kept them on the back foot, despite staying on par with the required run rate. Ervine stresses the importance of laying a solid foundation for the middle and lower order, which has been missing throughout the series. Highlighting the bright side, he praises the young players for showcasing their talents. Mentions that after a short break, he will prepare for the Afghanistan series.

Saim Ayub is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for scoring 155 runs and picking 3 wickets in the series. He says that the pitch was similar to the last game and good to bat on. Adds that his strategy was to see the ball and hit the ball. Mentions that he really enjoyed contributing to the team’s win. Concludes that he feels good having won the series. Tells that as a team, they try to stay in the present and enjoy each other's company.

Kamran Ghulam is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his superb century, the first of his ODI career. He also contributed with the ball, taking a wicket.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first. Kamran Ghulam, with his maiden ODI century, was the cornerstone of Pakistan's total of 303 while others batted around him. After reaching his fifty, he shifted gears brilliantly, accelerating from 50 to 100 in just 37 balls with ease. Despite doing all the hard work in the middle overs to keep the batters quiet, Zimbabwe lost the plot at the death, conceding 102 runs in the final 10 overs. For Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza stood out with the ball with figures of 2 for 47 from his 10 overs.

As for Pakistan, Saim Ayub struck early, taking a couple of wickets in his opening spell, with good support from Abrar Ahmed during the first Powerplay. Then, the pace duo of Aamer Jamal and Haris Rauf took over, dismissing the experienced Zimbabwean trio of Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, and Sikandar Raza. It was followed by a clean-up job as the spinners returned to finish off the innings. On the partnership front, from a batting perspective, Pakistan had three fifty-plus stands, with the highest being 89. Zimbabwe needed something similar to have a better chance in the chase.

In their pursuit of a stiff target, Zimbabwe faced a trial by spin in the first 13 overs. They lost their top order inside the first Powerplay, but despite the setbacks, the hosts managed to keep the required rate under control. The trend continued throughout the innings, with the scoreboard ticking along nicely, but Zimbabwe kept losing wickets at regular intervals. They managed to build four promising partnerships, but the highest among them was just 41 runs. When chasing a big total, substantial partnerships and batters converting starts into significant scores are crucial, and Zimbabwe fell short in that regard.

An emphatic win for Pakistan to clinch the series! It marks their second straight come-from-behind series win in the format with the previous one coming against Australia recently. As for Zimbabwe, while every batter showed intent by playing their shots, they fell in the process, with none willing to bide their time, even after losing three wickets in the first Powerplay. Additionally, they conceded too many runs in the final 10 overs, and the target of 304 proved to be a mountain too steep to climb.

OUT! LBW! That's it! The series goes to Pakistan! Haris Rauf runs in hard from over the wicket angle and bowls the ball on a good length on the off stump. The ball does not bounce much and nips back in as it rushes onto the front pad of Clive Madande who fails to get his bat in the line of the ball. He gets trapped right in front of the middle stump. The umpire has no hesitation in raising a finger. Pakistan win the game by 99 runs!

OUT! LBW! That's it! The series goes to Pakistan! Haris Rauf runs in hard from over the wicket angle and bowls the ball on a good length on the off stump. The ball does not bounce much and nips back in as it rushes onto the front pad of Clive Madande who fails to get his bat in the line of the ball. He gets trapped right in front of the middle stump. The umpire has no hesitation in raising a finger. Pakistan win the game by 99 runs!

Blessing Muzarabani is the last man in.

OUT! TIMBER! Faisal has a wicket to his name as well! Faisal Akram drops the ball short on the stumps and it is the googly. Richard Ngarava plays the wrong line completely as he looks to heave the ball hard and misses. He does not pick the googly and the ball goes past the inside edge and clatters onto the top of the middle stump. Richard Ngarava walks back for 17 (16) and Zimbabwe are 204/9 now.

OUT! TIMBER! Faisal has a wicket to his name as well! Faisal Akram drops the ball short on the stumps and it is the googly. Richard Ngarava plays the wrong line completely as he looks to heave the ball hard and misses. He does not pick the googly and the ball goes past the inside edge and clatters onto the top of the middle stump. Richard Ngarava walks back for 17 (16) and Zimbabwe are 204/9 now.

Drops the ball short outside leg. Richard Ngarava looks to pull it away but wears it on the pads.

Short ball once again on the stumps. Clive Madande drives it to long off for a single.

Nagging length on off, turning into the right-hander. Clive Madande stays back and blocks it off.