Zimbabwe defeat Pakistan under controversial circumstances to level ODI series

Chamu Chibhabha’s enterprising 90 helped secure a landmark win for Zimbabwe

Despite a valiant unbeaten 96 from Shoaib Malik, Zimbabwe hung on to beat Pakistan by 5 runs (D/L) in the thrilling 2nd ODI at Harare Sports Club and level the series 1-1. Amidst late drama induced by fading light and intermittent drizzle, both umpires decided to take the players off in a bizarre decision. At that stage, Pakistan were five runs behind the Duckworth-Lewis par score of 261 and that remained so as time ran out for Pakistan.

Malik was visibly angry at the umpires’ decision after he had produced a rousing innings to bring Pakistan, who were 76/6 at one stage, back into contention. Surprisingly, the umpiring duo of Ruchira Palliyaguruge and Jeremiah Matibiri cited the fading light for suspending play. As a result, the last 2 overs could not be completed.

The Zimbabwean players certainly did not complain. Earlier, Azhar Ali won the toss and inserted the home team on a hard pitch which had a greenish tinge. His pace bowlers tried to capitalize on the fresh pitch and bowled with pace and precision for the first 10 overs. Wahab Riaz stood out in particular with his impeccable control as he snared Hamilton Masakadza who was playing a rather painful knock.

Chibhabha strung together a useful partnership with the 23-year old Brian Chari. He was unfortunate to miss out on his maiden ODI hundred after executing a tired shot and edging a full delivery to the wicket-keeper. However, Chigumbura joined Sikandar Raza at the crease with the match in a tantalizing position.

Stamping his authority on the death bowlers, Chigumbura took the Pakistani bowling apart with an aggressive 67 which included 2 sixes and 4 fours which earned him the Man of the Match award. Raza too joined the action with an important cameo, a 21-ball 32.

Even though Riaz scalped 4 wickets, he was extremely expensive with an economy rate of more than 6. The indisciplined bowling effort proved to be a huge setback for Pakistan whose batting unit were always going to struggle chasing a 250 plus score on a sluggish surface.

Coach Dav Whatmore would have been concerned with Zimbabwe’s ability to close out games. His side had come close on quite a few previous encounters with only to lose focus towards the end and let slip matches from under their grasp, but the Zimbabwean team finally managed to notch up a victory today which allowed them to enter the 3rd ODI with a chance to create an upset by winning the series.

The Zimbabwean bowlers successfully defended 276 despite a late surge from the Pakistani lower order batsmen. New-ball bowler Tinashe Panyangara produced an impressive display of swing and sent back both the openers to the pavilion.

After a terrible mix-up, Mohammad Hafeez too was dismissed. Soon, the scoreboard pressure began to take its effect. A disciplined Zimbabwe bowling attack reduced the visitors to 76/6 from 21.2 overs.

But, veteran limited-overs batsman Shoaib Malik showed his experience and steadied the Pakistan scorecard. He found an unlikely ally in the young all-rounder Aamer Yamin who blitzed his way to a counter-attacking half-century at a healthy striker-rate.

The century partnership raised hopes of a miraculous victory for the visitors. After he was strangled down the leg-side while attempting a pull shot of a rising delivery from the captain Elton Chigumbura, the Pakistani tail-enders provided adequate support to Malik who was heartbreakingly left stranded on 96.

Apart from a solitary win over New Zealand, Zimbabwe had not won any of the other ODIs against the top 10 teams in 2015. They had also been outclassed by Pakistan in both the T20Is. The deciding match of the ODI series also takes place in Harare on the 5th of October.