Zimbabwe thrash Pakistan by 80 runs in first ODI

Zimbabwe defeated Pakistan in the first ODI of the three-match series by 80 runs on the DLS method due to heavy downpour on Sunday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

The match, held at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, was interrupted by rain, which prevented further play and forced officials to decide the outcome using the DLS method.

With this win, Zimbabwe has taken a 1-0 lead in the series, setting the stage for an exciting contest in the upcoming matches.

Before the rain interruption, Pakistan were in heaps of trouble as they had lost six wickets with just 60 runs on the board, 81 runs behind as per the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.

Skipper Mohammad Rizwan and debutant Aamir Jamal, unbeaten on 19 and zero, were at the crease when the downpour began.

Zimbabwe, after being invited to bat first by Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan, were bowled out for 205 in the 41st over.

After his departure, Zimbabwe’s middle order crumbled, and they were reduced to 125/7 by the 26th over.

Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava then steadied the innings with a crucial 62-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Raza played a determined knock of 39 from 56 balls, including six boundaries, before being dismissed by debutant Faisal Akram in the 38th over.

Faisal struck again in the same over, removing Blessing Muzarabani for a duck, reducing Zimbabwe to 187/9.

Ngarava showed resilience, top-scoring with 48 runs from 52 balls, hitting six boundaries and a six. He, along with Trevor Gwandu (3*), helped Zimbabwe cross the 200-run mark with a fighting 10th-wicket stand.

For Pakistan, Faisal Akram and Agha Salman were the standout bowlers, taking three wickets each. Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, and Aamir Jamal chipped in with a wicket apiece.