Razzaq powers Pakistan to win

Paktel Cup Match #1
Pakistan v Zimbabwe
September 30, 2004
Multan Cricket Stadium

Abdul Razzaq is known for his powerful hitting, by the means of which, coming in at number six or seven in the batting order, he destroys the opposition bowlers in the slog overs. It's only once in a blue moon that batsmen of such nature get an opportunity to get a big one to their name. Razzaq, a veteran of only one century in 171 matches, was gifted that opportunity when Pakistan found themselves 36 for 4 in the 13th over batting first against Zimbabwe, in the first match of the triangular Paktel Cup.

Batting first, after having won the toss, Pakistan got off the worst possible start, losing Yasir Hameed the first ball to the most promising of the young Zimbabwean bowlers for the golden duck. Things didn't get any better for Pakistan, as they found themselves at 6 for 3 in the 4th over, the in-form Shoaib Malik and the ever-so-reliable Yousuf Youhana back in the pavilion, both to Douglas Hondo, who finished the innings with the most wickets of the Zimbabwean bowlers - three.

Pakistan lost another wicket before the centurion for the day - Razzaq - joined his captain Inzamam-ul-Haq in the middle, that of newcomer Bazid Khan. At this stage, it was needed to steady the innings rather than blast at everything, something that is alien to Razzaq, but very much a gospel for Inzamam. The latter's presence did help the former, as the two put together a 95-run stand, at an uncharacteristically slow pace.

Inzamam eventually fell though; leg before to spinner Prosper Utseya for a well-made 73. Moin Khan, known for his calculated aggression, joined Razzaq at this juncture. But it wasn't to be Moin's day, as he fell for a 7 runs stumped of opening batsman but part-time bowler Brendan Taylor, leaving the hosts at 146/6, with a little over 10 overs remaining.

Enter Shahid Afridi, another of the breed of powerful hitting batsmen. His arrival at the crease provided the much needed ignition, as he propelled the scoring rate thrashing the bowlers all around the park. He reached his 50 off a mere 21 balls, an innings which included five fours, accompanied by four mammoth sixes.

Razzaq reached his century as well, finishing off the innings unbeaten on 107, with five fours and an equal number of sixes. Naved-ul-Hassan joined him after Afridi's fall, and finished with 16 runs off 8 balls. The hosts ended their innings at 290 for 7, a stupendous 130 plus runs scored off the last ten overs.

Naved followed up his cameo with a strong bowling performance up front, removing Stuart Matsikenyeri, who failed to score off the 13 balls he faced. His opening partner Taylor didn't last too long either, as he was bowled by Shoaib Akhtar for five. However, Dion Ebrahim along with Vusi Sibanda brought a halt to the tumbling of wickets for a while, as they engaged in a 56-run third wicket partnership.

Sibanda top-scored the innings with 57, but at no point in the innings, the Zimbabweans looked even close to trying to chase down the mammoth target. After the pace bowlers did their job earlier, the spinner Malik and Afridi polished off the innings with very good spin bowling in tandem, the likes of which the Zimbabwean tail enders couldn't manage to deal with. Sibanda continued to bat positively despite the fall of wickets around him, but eventually got out for 57 to Malik.

Malik took 37/3, while Afridi finished with 18/3, as the Zimbabweans were bowled out for 148 in the 39th over, 144 runs short of what seemed an impossible target for their inexperienced side.

PAKISTAN 292 for 7 in 50 overs
Inzamam-ul-Haq 73(102), Abdul Razzaq 107*(114), Shahid Afridi 58(26), DT Hondo 54/3(10)
ZIMBABWE 148 all out in 38.3 overs
V Sibanda 57(69), Shoaib Malik 37/3(8), Shahid Afridi 18/3(6)

Man of the Match: Abdul Razzaq (Pakistan)

Pakistan (2 points) beat Zimbabwe (0 points) by 144 runs.

Posted by Sudeep