Pakistan vs Zimbabwe
Toss : Pakistan and decide to bat
Pakistan 1st Innings-
Saeed Anwar opened the innings with N Khan on a dead pitch which promised some turn in the last couple of days. The weather was projected to be very cloudy with chances of rain in those days to upset matters further. Zimbabwe had been beaten in the last test by innings and 27 runs with Saeed Anwar scoring 230.
With P Strang injured, Goodwin left home due to selection discrepency and A Flower deciding to give up his captaincy - the Zimbabwean team seemed destined to come second best in this series. Stand in captain for the test, until a later captain would be assigned, was Heath Streak - one of the few performers so far in the Zimbabwean squad.
Day 1
Before lunch the Pakistani batsman took the Zim bowling side to the cleaners. Bryan Strang was hit for 24 runs in one over as Saeed Anwar carried his form from the last game into this one. The break through came 5 minutes before lunch when Naseem Khan was caught behind from a Streak delivery for 48. At lunch the score ended at 131 for 1 with Saeed Anwar cruising at 72*.
The post lunch session though saw an unlikely comeback from the Zim bowlers, in particular its part timers such as Grant Flower and Viljoen. Both picked up early wickets and Pakistan stumbled from 142 for 1 to 155 for 3. The going got worse when Saeed Anwar played a rash stroke and was caught at first slip for 80 off Olonga. Soon after the loss, Zim captain Streak brought on the pace onslaught with himself, Olonga and Strang bowling tandem hoping to pick up another scalp. But Nawaz and Razzaq maintained their cool head and saw off the pressure until Tea. This session proved a huge moral booster for the Zimbabweans who had almost taken out the top and middle order and were only couple of wickets away before they could sieze the tail. The score was 204 for 4.
If the post lunch session was dominated by Zim bowlers, the post Tea seemed destined for on, Afsar Nawaz. The young talented keeper drafted in place of M Khan wrecked havoc and he achieved his 2nd 50 of his test career. Taking a cue from Nawaz, Abdur too lashed out at the Zim bowlers and soon after reached his fifty in fine form. The pressure seemed to be coming back at Zim as Streak ran out of ideas to contain these two batsman. The day ended with no wickets taken and 140 runs coming from the session. End of day score was 344 for 4 and Zim looked to be staring down the barrel.
Day 2
This day belonged to Streak who showed his awesome prowess in bowling by first taking out Nawaz's middle stump and then running through the lower Pakistani order. Pakistan added 36 runs to their first day score before they were all out. Razzaq remained at 89*.
Zim innings started with Masakadza going out first bowl, cleaned bowled to a Waqar Younis delivery. But the Flower brothers took over and presented a 100 run partnership before Saqlain Mushtaq had Grant Flower stumped to a flighter of a delivery. Mark Vermuleun came to give excellent support to Flower who eventually reached his century. It seemed the captaincy pressure of which Flower had been relieved of only a night before had worked wonders for his batting. The close of play saw the wicket of Vermuleun for 40 after Razzaq got him caught and bowled. Zim ended days play at 229 for 3. Good day indeed for the underdogs.
Day 3
Flower resumed his anchor innings role from Day 2, stroking his shots to perfection. Friend on the other hand decided to take some risks and get some pressure onto the Pakistani bowlers, while he got away with some streaky shots, an attempted six off Mushtaq fell into the lap of Youhana and Zim were down to 4 with 266 on the board. Arshad Khan then hit Zim with some loopy spins, his first target was the all important Andy flower who got deceived by the wrong 'un and was clean bowlder, followed by quick wickets of Brent and Streak. Saqlain mean while complemented Arshad really well by taking out Viljoen and in no time Zim had a collapse of their own and were eventually all out for 297.
Pakistan back in control once again were given an awesome start as Anwar and Khan scored almost a run a ball and got themselves a third successive century opening partnership. To add to Zim woes, Brent over stretched himself in bowling and had to be carried off. Medical reports clarified that he would be out for 2 weeks and would definitely not play a part in this game. 189 runs - that was the worth of the opening partnership before Khan skied a Grant Flower bowl into the awaiting arms of Streak. But it seemed the men in Green were not about to ease up their run glut. Younis Khan tore the part timers apart and he scored his 50 in just 39 deliveries. Saeed Anwar achieved his 2nd century of the series. But there was some reprise for Zim bowlers as Olonga struck just before close of play by taking out Khan and then Youhana in the same over. Day 3 closed with Pakistan on 305 for 3 and a total lead of 388.
Day 4
As was expected day 4 before with the ball moving like a top. Streak immediately employed his part timers in the hope for a wicket or two. And his decision paid off, Viljoen in particular enjoyed his left arm over gentle spin and took 4 wickets in quick succession as Pakistan began to crumble from 305 for 3 to 316 for 7. With Anwar still there and Saqlain Mushtaq giving him support the Pakistani's continued their romp. Until Streak much like the first innings struck, taking out the lower order and leaving Anwar stranded on 157*. After Pakistani 2nd innings Zimbabwe required 438 runs to win in just over 140 overs and under 5 sessions.
As expected Zim batsman came out defending and scored only 16 runs till Tea. The ploy did not budge an inch post tea and the two played very conservatively scoring 81 after Day 4 ended.
Discouraged by the negative tactics, captain of the Pakistani team asked Zim to play for a win instead, his comments were rebuffed by Streak who stated the team was playing with logic and would apply itself accordingly in day 5.
Day 5
Day 5 began as day 4 ended. With Zim chasing 357 for a win the two openers downplayed any possible hint of a run chase and scored 68 runs in the lunch session. Disheartened and bored fans booed the two batsman as they made their way to the pavilion for lunch. But in all this negative play, zim did achieve their highest opening partnership.
Those fans who had gone back home siting a boring finish though were left shell shocked amongst others as Zimbabwe came roaring back from oblivion. Masakadsa went full throttle as he took the visibly fatigued **** bowlers to the cleaners. Joined in the fun, temporaily was G Flower, who in one over hit the out of form Sami for 22 runs. Flower though fell for 78 as Saqlain came in for his 2nd spell. But with the pacemen out of energy, the Pakistani captain decided to give Youhana the ball. Andy Flower and Masakadsa welcomed the decision by smacking him for 55 runs in 4 overs. Meanwhile Flower seemed more content in giving the strike to man possessed - Hamilton Masakadsa. The post lunch session ended with Zimbabwe scoring 168 runs off of it. Shockingly the Zim now needed 120 odd runs to win the game.
Shocked and stunned the Pakistani captain brought in his strike bowlers in an attempt to get wickets. And wickets he did get. Wasim Akram took out the centurion and masterblaster Masakadsa, Younis took out Andy Flower, and Saqlain Mushtaq took out Vermuleun - all in a space of 8 overs, during which the Zim mustered up 40 runs. Requiring 80 odd runs from 20 odd overs was not a hard task for a team with a more batting credibility, but Zim didn't have their main stays and Streak had to make a decision, to go for the win or stay for the draw. To which he ultimately chose - win.
Friend, whose ODI form had been stunning over the year, got into his ODI mode and blasted the pace men. Realizing Friends affinity to pace, the spinners were called in. And like it was expected, Friend got out to a turner off Mushtaq. With Brent out and a batsman short, Streak sent Bryan Strang for some clean hittings, but instead Strang was out first ball LBW'ed to Mushtaq. Viljoen too was given out from a very dubious decision of LBW off Arshad Khan. Zim needed 38 off 60 balls with Streak, Olonga and Nkala as the only batsman left.
Streak decided to cover Olonga from the strike and kept taking singles to keep himself on strike. Couple of very close LBW decisions went against him, of which atleast one seemed very legal. Ultimately after some blocking and runnings, Zim came down to needed 16 runs off the last 12 deliveries.
Akram was brought on to bowl the penultimate over. His first delivery to Olonga, induced an edge to the square region but there was no one their to lap up the simple catch. A single was taken. Streak defended the next two deliveries aimed at his leg stump. Streak did play the fourth ball, and he whacked it over cover, high in the air, it seemed uncertain whether it would fall short or go all the way. Fortunately for Streak the latter happened. 9 needed off 8. Streak hit the 5th ball toward long on and ran a quick single. The final bowl was left alone by Olongo as Zim required 8 off the last 6 with one wicket in hand.
Mohammed Sami was given the responsibility of the final over and the young lad opened the over with a wide. Drowned in boos, Sami second ball rapped Streak in his pads, loud appeal, Not Out. 7 off 5. Streak smashed the next delivery towards the square leg boundary for a 4. The pressue was now all on Pakistan and Sami. 3 off 4. And Sami responded fabulously, taking out Streaks leg stump with a cracker of a 4th delivery. As Nkala came out to the middle, the crowd anticipated in breathless silence. 3 off 3 , 1 wicket in hand. Sami's 3rd was another thunderous one, rapping Nkala on the pads, the appeal was turned down. Sami's 2nd was hit by Nkala on the up, who skied a huge shot, again towards the boundary, but this time it fell short, of both the ropes and a fielder and Nkala came back for 2. Now with the game tied, the Pakistani captain brought his fielders into the circle, hoping to stop that one single which would give Zimbabwe their first win in 9 tests. Sami Runs. Nkala skies it again. Dropped. Anwar the culprit, 3 runs taken. Zimbabwe Win!! Zimbabwe WIN!! ZIMBABWE WIN!!
Post Match :
Losing Captain - "we played well, but ultimately determination won them the game, we need to come back stronger in the next game, possibly pick an extra batsman"
Streak - "Feels great. We kept our spirits high ever after the first day. I thought that last over summed it all up. Both sides had chances, and in the end we siezed ours one better. Looking for next test, and hopefully we can come good again. Hope Brent gets well soon. Am proud to lead my country to a win in my first game in charge. Great moment".
MoM - Saeed Anwar - "I feel like a wreck. I don't know whether I'll remember this game as a MoM moment or a dropped catch moment. Its terrible we ended up losing that way. Neither deserved to lose. Excellent showcase by youngster Masakadsa. Hopefully we can come good in the final Test".
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For those who care. The final test match was a draw after rain affected gameplay in the first two days.
In brief, Streak won the toss, decided to bowl. Pakistan were all out for 203 in a rain affected innings, new bowler Englebrecht took 6 of those wickets on his debut. Zim responded with a 240 all out, Saqlain getting 5 wickets. Masakadsa, a young player, looking to become the future of Zim cricket scored another 100 in the innings. Pakistan came back with 340 declared for 5, with Saeed Anwar hitting yet another century. Zim closed play with 85 for 5 with Masakadsa sitting on 50 not out.
Man of Series - Saeed Anwar
Man of Match - Hamilton Masakadsa
Top Wicket taker - Saqlain Mustaq.
Hope you have liked my presentation :-)
