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Pakistan defeat Zimbabwe

Friday, April 4 2003

Having adjusted to the frequency of one day internationals during the carnival of cricket that was the 2003 World Cup, it seems like an age since two sides last met at this level.

But now it's business as usual for the next four years.

The biggest difference from Zimbabwe's point of view is the absence of Andy Flower, who hung up both sets of gloves after the World Cup. Pakistan have some new faces in the squad - and some very familiar ones are missing. No Inzamam, no Shoaib, no Waqar, no Wasim, no Saeed Anwar, no Saqlain and no Afridi for them, but two debutants - Hafeez and Gul.

Other than that it really was business as usual. Pakistan ran out comfortable winners by 68 runs after a late rally from the middle-lower order and some disciplined bowling from their inexperienced attack.

It could have been a different story though. Zimbabwe fought hard, competed well and at different stages in the match looked as though they could pull off a rare victory.

Having won the toss, new captain Rashid Latif had the right to expect a better return than 101-5 as he came to the crease mid way through Pakistans innings.

Mohammad Hafeez, a useful looking 22 year old right handed opening batsman and off spin bowler nicked one from Heath Streak to be caught behind by Tatenda Taibu for 12.

Naved Latif was bowled by Blignaut for just 3, and then Taufeeq Umar played on to streak having taken 50 balls to score just 16. Yousuf Youhana, the dangerman was then caught behind off Sean Ervine for 17, and Shoaib Malik was run out having made 13.

All the while Younis Khan managed to stick in there, and it was key for Pakistan that he built a solid knock. Which is exactly what he did.

The revival begun when captain Latif helped Khan add 58 in 10 overs, making 34 off 36 balls himself. Latif was also run out but that only succeeded in bringing Abdur Razzaq to the crease. Zimbabwe probably wish they hadn't.

The seventh wicket partnership was worth 44 before Younis Khan fell to Blignaut for a vital 67. Razzaq and Sami then put on 75 in just 35 balls.

It was nothing less than on onslaught. A barrage of huge blows were landed, mostly by Razzaq who finished with 76 not out off 53 balls. Razzaq hit 7 sixes, 6 of them in the final 2 overs, which cost 47 runs. Sami added a maximum of his own as a number of full tosses were deposited back over the bowlers' heads.

Heath Streak took 2-31, but Blignaut sent down 11 wides out of a total of 24, ill-discipline costing Zimbabwe dear. Pakistan had been 209-7 going into the last 4 overs.

So instead of a testing 230 target, Zimbabwe were set a near impossible 279 to win.

The chase was in ruins before it got off the ground. Craig Wishart chased a wide one to give 18 year old Umar Gul his first international wicket on debut, and Gul also dismissed Travis Friend on his way to impressive figures of 7-2-25-2.

Danesh Kaneria then came on and snared Grant Flower for 13. Unlucky on this occasion as it left him one run shy of 6000 in his 200th one day international!

Dougie Marillier was leading the resistance, but his brave 59 came to an end when he was bowled by Kaneria, and when Gavin Rennie was dismissed by Hafeez the collapse was on.

Blignaut displayed some familiar clean hitting. His 15-ball 24 contained five boundaries, but whilst it succeeded in lifting the run rate, it failed to get Zimbabwe back on track. What it did do though is encourage Dion Ebrahim and Ervine to press on towards saving the bonus point, and the pair added a run a ball 42 for the 7th wicket. When Ervine was run out for a run a ball 30 and Taibu, looking lost, was beaten for pace by Sami.

Razzaq then came back into the attack to clean up Streak and Ebrahim - Zimbabwe all out 210. So Pakistan take victory and the bonus point, not to mention a few promising performances from some younger members of their squad. Meanwhile Zimbabwe's struggles look set to continue for some time.

Posted by Barrie