Zimbabwe set a modest target of 146 runs in the series-deciding ODI against Pakistan on Tuesday in Bulawayo, following the hosts’ dominant win in the rain-affected series opener.
Zimbabwe’s top scorers included Dion Myers (33 off 30), captain Craig Ervine (18 off 35), Sean Williams (31 off 39), and Sikandar Raza (17 off 17), though most of the batting order fell for low scores. Abrar Ahmed starred with the ball, taking four wickets, while Agha Salman claimed three, as Pakistan’s spinners restricted the hosts to a modest total.
Earlier, Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat first against Pakistan.
Pakistan now faces the prospect of losing their first-ever three-match ODI series to Zimbabwe, a team typically considered the underdog. The Green Shirts suffered a surprising 80-run loss in the rain-affected opener, raising concerns. Despite some historic wins over Pakistan in previous years, including a one-off ODI victory in 1995 and an exciting Super Over win in 2021, Zimbabwe has never won a three-match ODI series.
Sunday’s defeat was a stark reminder to Pakistan, especially after their recent home series win over Australia. The loss has intensified the pressure on Aaqib Javed, Pakistan’s newly appointed white-ball head coach, whose debut series has begun on a difficult note.
Skipper Mohammad Rizwan made an impression with a solid unbeaten knock in the first ODI, but the rest of the batting lineup faltered against Zimbabwe’s spinners, Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams, who exploited Pakistan’s weaknesses with precision.
Squads:
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Shahnawaz Dahani, Saim Ayub, and Tayyab Tahir.
Zimbabwe: Craig Ervine (captain), Brian Bennett, Blessing Muzarabani, Brandon Mavuta, Clive Madande, Dion Myers, Faraz Akram, Joylord Gumbie, Richard Ngarava, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tashinga Musekiwa, Tinotenda Maposa, and Trevor Gwandu.
