LIVE – http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 steady despite early loss – Match Update
Zimbabwe took a decent start despite losing one wicket early against Pakistan in the first One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo in Zimbabwe on Thursday, September 8, 2011.
The hosts reached 41 runs for the loss of one wicket at the end of 10 overs. Opening batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/H-Masakadza-c1517 were unbeaten at the crease.
Zimbabwe have to chase down 248 runs for victory and their real test will be against the Pakistani spinners. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shoaib-Malik-c90088.
However, one thing which can go in favour of the African team will be the similar line of spin attack, which the opposition possesses.
All three spinners in the team bowl off-break with only Ajmal having the ability to deceive the batsmen with “doosra” (the one that goes the other way). If the hosts manage to survive his spell without losing many wickets, they will have a chance of challenging
the tourists.
Zimbabwe’s start was not an ideal one, as they lost Chibhabha in the third over of the innings. He managed only one run off seven balls and got out to a superb delivery from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sohail-Tanvir-c90665.
The left-arm seamer angled the ball in from around the wicket, but it seamed towards the off-stump giving no chance to the batsman to make an adjustment. This delivery would have cleaned up any batsman in the world.
Sibanda and Masakadza batted patiently, guiding the team’s total to 41 at the end of 10 overs. The former was batting nicely at 25 runs off 33 balls with the help of three fours and one massive six.
On the other hand, Masakadza was unbeaten on 12 off 20 balls, striking a couple of boundaries.
The lone wicket to fall in the Zimbabwean innings so far was picked up by Tanvir, who is making a comeback to the national side since he was dropped from the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 World Cup 2011 squad following fitness concerns.
Tags: