Rain has the last laugh as Pakistan win the series 2-0

Azhar Ali was adjudged Man-of-the-Series

Pakistan’s hopes of a whitewash were dampened as rains lashed out at the Gaddafi stadium during the third ODI in Lahore yesterday. The hosts thus bagged the series 2-0 giving the fans something to cheer about on the occasion of international cricket’s return to the nation after six years. Pakistan Captain - Azhar Ali was adjudged Man of The Series for amassing 227 runs in the series.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. Both teams were playing a debutant each. Babar Azam replaced Haris Sohail, who was rested after scoring two back to back fifties in his previous two outings. Junaid Khan came into the playing XI replacing Mohammad Sami who went wicket-less in the previous two matches.

For Zimbabwe, Roy Kaia, the 23-year old off-spinner made his debut as two pacers, Tawande Mupariwa and Brian Vitori were benched because of individual injuries making way for right-arm seamer Chris Mpofu.

Pakistan got off to a flyer courtesy a century opening stand between Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali. Hafeez looked at his fluent best as he seamlessly kept attacking the opposition bowlers ably supported by the skipper who was batting on 46 when Sikandar Raza ran him out with the scoreboard reading 115/1. Hafeez (80) soon followed suit as he was trapped lbw off Sikandar Raza’s first ball of his first over.

Out walked debutant Babar Azam and steadied the ship with a well made half-century before falling prey to Chris Mpofu. Shoaib Malik, Asad Shafiq and Hammad Azam did not trouble the scorers and got out rather cheaply. However, Anwar Ali’s cameo of 37 from just 23 balls which included two hits to the fence and two maximums steered Pakistan to a challenging total of 296 at the end of their 50 overs.

Sikandar Raza was the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe as he returned match figures of 59/3 in his 10 overs. Chris Mpofu and Graeme Cremer too chipped in with useful contributions & helped restrict Pakistan to a total of fewer than 300.

In reply, Chamu Chibhabha and Vusi Sibanda began the chase on a confident note as they raced to 62 in 8 overs without losing a wicket before a light stand went off halting the proceedings. After the break, Zimbabwe were given a revised target of 281 to be chased in 46 overs but only an over could be bowled as rains kicked in and ruined the show.

The match was later called off and Zimbabwe’s only hopes of salvaging a win in the last ODI were washed off. Now, an elated Pakistan side will be keenly watching the imminent India-Bangladesh series as a 3-0 win for India in the ODIs will help Pakistan qualify for the Champions trophy. However, given Bangladesh’s rich form in the past few months, India will have to play out of their skins to achieve a 3-0 rout against them. In the meantime, the whole of Pakistan can only watch and pray as MS Dhoni’s men gear up to take on rejuvenated Bangladesh.