Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, 1st ODI Highlights: Zimbabwe beat Pakistan by 80 runs (DLS method)

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Richard Ngarava, the highest run-scorer for Zimbabwe is in for a chat. He says he is happy with the way he batted but would have loved to get to the 50. Also mentions that the team comes first. Further adds that the pitch is slightly on the slower side and if they can chip a few early wickets they will have a chance.

Pakistan's bowling started on an uncertain note, but a brilliant piece of fielding by Abdullah Shafique led to the first wicket, which sparked a turnaround in their fortunes. Debutant Faisal Akram was virtually unplayable, claiming three wickets to leave the Zimbabwean batsmen reeling. Salman Agha also impressed, taking three wickets of his own. Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Hasnain, and Haris Rauf chipped in with a wicket each, as Pakistan's bowlers eventually found their rhythm to restrict Zimbabwe. Can Zimbabwe pull off an upset and defend this or will we see yet another dominating performance with the bat from Pakistani batters? We shall have our answers soon. 

Zimbabwe's innings got off to a flying start, with the hosts racing to 40 for no loss inside six overs. However, a mix-up between Joylord Gumbie and Tadiwanashe Marumani to Gumbie's dismissal, and the Zimbabwean innings began to unravel. At the 10-over mark, Zimbabwe had stumbled to 62 for 2, and the wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. The hosts struggled to gain momentum in the middle phase, and at one point, it seemed unlikely they would even reach 150, with seven wickets down for 125. However, an unlikely eighth-wicket partnership between Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava turned the innings around. The duo added 62 crucial runs, propelling Zimbabwe to a respectable total. Surprisingly, Richard Ngarava top-scored with a valuable 48 runs, helping the hosts post a competitive score.

We are at the mid-way break of the game and Pakistan has bundled out hosts on a mere 205. The decision of Mohammad Rizwan to put Zimbabwe first out to bat has worked in their favor.

Mohammad Hasnain to Richard Ngarava, OUT! TIMBER! Richard Ngarava falls 2 runs short of his maiden half-century and the fun comes to an end! He has done his part though! Zimbabwe end at 205 runs! Mohammad Hasnain takes pace off and bowls it very full, right in the blockhole on leg, Richard Ngarava is deceived by the lack of pace and fails to jam it out. The ball deflects off his pads and hits the stumps.

Mohammad Hasnain to Richard Ngarava, SIX! What a shot! Richard Ngarava is putting on a show here! Zimbabwe get past the 200-run mark! Short and on middle, Richard Ngarava pulls and gets it over square leg for a biggie. 

End of the Powerplay 2! Pakistan are now allowed up to 5 fielders outside the 30-yard circle.

Faisal Akram to Richard Ngarava, Another edge that falls safe. Tossed up, on off, Richard Ngarava looks to play it straight and gets an outside edge to short third for one.

Faisal Akram to Richard Ngarava, FOUR! Powered through! Tossed up, on off, Richard Ngarava clobbers it over the bowler's head for a boundary. 

Faisal Akram to Trevor Gwandu, Full and on leg, Trevor Gwandu closes the bat face early and a leading edge takes the ball to point for a single.

Faisal Akram to Trevor Gwandu, Tossed up, on off, Trevor Gwandu looks to play it on the full, gets an inside edge to mid-wicket.

Faisal Akram to Richard Ngarava, Full, on off, Richard Ngarava clubs it to long on for a single.

Faisal Akram to Richard Ngarava, Flighted full, on off and turning away, Richard Ngarava drives and misses with the turn. 

Mohammad Hasnain to Trevor Gwandu, Another bouncer to end the over. Short and over middle, Trevor Gwandu ducks underneath. 

Mohammad Hasnain to Richard Ngarava, Back of a length, on off, Richard Ngarava miscues his pull to long on for a single.

Mohammad Hasnain to Richard Ngarava, Hurls it fuller and cramps the batter for room, on leg, Richard Ngarava taps it back to the bowler to his left.

Mohammad Hasnain to Trevor Gwandu, Full, at the stumps, Trevor Gwandu flicks it to mid-wicket for a single. 

Mohammad Hasnain to Richard Ngarava, Shorter and on off, Richard Ngarava pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Mohammad Hasnain to Richard Ngarava, Back of a length, on off, Richard Ngarava punches it to long off.

Faisal Akram to Richard Ngarava, Tossed up, on middle, Richard Ngarava drives it to long on for one and retains the strike for the next over.

Faisal Akram to Trevor Gwandu, Full, on off, Trevor Gwandu clips it off the inner half to square leg for a single. 

Trevor Gwandu is the last man in!

Faisal Akram to Blessing Muzarabani, OUT! CLEANED'EM UP! One brings two for Faisal Akram! He bowls this quicker and straight on with the arm, on off, Blessing Muzarabani fails to read it off the hands and looks to keep it down with a straight bat. Misses the ball completely and gets beaten. The ball skids through to hit the top of off. 

Faisal Akram to Blessing Muzarabani, Full, on off, Blessing Muzarabani looks to drive but gets an inside edge to the leg side.

Faisal Akram to Blessing Muzarabani, Coming on with the arm, angling away, outside off, Blessing Muzarabani leaves it alone.

Blessing Muzarabani walks in next!

Faisal Akram to Sikandar Raza, OUT! CAUGHT! An inspired bowling change and Pakistan finally manage to break the partnership! Faisal Akram keeps it short and on middle and off, Sikandar Raza rocks back and pulls it well but finds the man at deep mid-wicket. Abdullah Shafique times his jump to perfection and takes a sharp catch over his head. The 62-run stand is broken and Zimbabwe are 187/8!

Mohammad Hasnain to Sikandar Raza, Angling in, on a length, on middle and leg, Sikandar Raza tucks it to square leg for a single. 

Mohammad Hasnain to Sikandar Raza, Width again, outside off, Sikandar Raza creams it to deep cover for a couple of runs.

Mohammad Hasnain to Sikandar Raza, Just outside off, fuller, Sikandar Raza firms his drive but finds mid off.

Mohammad Hasnain to Sikandar Raza, Attacks the stumps, full, Sikandar Raza tucks it to mid-wicket.

Mohammad Hasnain to Richard Ngarava, A full toss, outside off, Richard Ngarava whips it straight to deep cover for a single.

Mohammad Hasnain to Richard Ngarava, Hard length, over middle, Richard Ngarava punches it back to Hasnain.

Salman Agha to Sikandar Raza, Full, on middle and off, Sikandar Raza flicks it to mid-wicket.

Salman Agha to Sikandar Raza, Quicker and fuller, on off, Sikandar Raza pushes it back to the bowler.

Salman Agha to Sikandar Raza, FOUR! Another one! The crowd is getting right behind these batters now! Fired in full and on leg, Sikandar Raza sweeps it behind and beats short fine to his left.

Salman Agha to Sikandar Raza, FOUR! Sikandar Raza on the charge! Flighted full, on off, Sikandar Raza steps out and lofts it over mid off for a boundary.

Salman Agha to Sikandar Raza, Full, on off, Sikandar Raza pushes it to mid off.

Salman Agha to Sikandar Raza, Short and on middle, Sikandar Raza clips it in front of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. This brings up the 50-run stand between these two! 

Haris Rauf to Richard Ngarava, Digs it into the deck does Rauf, on a shorter length, outside off, Richard Ngarava looks to dab it behind but ends up chopping it down the surface. Not very far from the off stump!

Haris Rauf to Richard Ngarava, Back of a length, over off, Richard Ngarava punches it well but straight to mid off.

Haris Rauf to Richard Ngarava, Full and on off, Richard Ngarava taps it back to the bowler.

Haris Rauf to Richard Ngarava, In the air and falls safe! Richard Ngarava is finding gaps for fun! Fuller this time from Rauf, on off, Ngarava slices it up and over cover for a couple.

Haris Rauf to Richard Ngarava, FOUR! Not any more! This is perfectly timed! Short again, over middle, Richard Ngarava nails his pull square on the leg side.

Haris Rauf to Richard Ngarava, FOUR! What a start to the over! Haris Rauf digs it in short and on middle, Richard Ngarava pulls it in front of deep backward square leg. The ball falls in front of the fielder charging in and spins away past him to find the fence. Living dangerously is Richard Ngarava!

Salman Agha to Richard Ngarava, Tossed up, on off, Richard Ngarava drives it to long on for a single. 

Salman Agha to Sikandar Raza, Drifting into the pads, on a fuller length, Sikandar Raza clips it to mid-wicket for a single.

Salman Agha to Richard Ngarava, Flighted and pitched fuller, Richard Ngarava thumps it to long off for a single.

Salman Agha to Richard Ngarava, A tad short of a good length, on middle and off, Richard Ngarava punches it to cover.