Pakistan vs. Zimbabwe: Second innings – ICC World Cup 2011 Recap
Rain restricted the Zimbabwean innings, as they managed to make 151 runs. The Duckworth/Lewis system was applied, after which Pakistan needed 163 runs from 37 overs.
Muhammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad took to the crease for Pakistan, as Hamilton Masakadza and Ray Price looked to get the early breakthrough for the bowling side.
The result secured Pakistan's place in the quarter-final of the tournament with a game to spare.
After a maiden over, Ahmed Shehzad hit Pakistan’s first boundary after a loose delivery from Ray Price. Masakadza was on the receiving end of two boundaries when both Hafeez and Shehzad guided the ball across the rope.
The first wicket came for Zimbabweans, as Shehzad charged down the crease and swung wildly making no contact with the ball. Taibu reacted first and Shehzad was stumped for 8 in the fourth over.
Hafeez punished Masakadza in the next over, smashing three boundaries off the dispirited bowler. Pakistan sent in debutant Asad Shafiq to continue Pakistan’s chase.
Another bowling change later as Greg Lamb and Utseya were trying to stop the batsmen from settling in. Pakistan steadily increased their run rate to the 4.50 runs per over required by the end of the 14th over.
Utseya was replaced by Cremer, as Zimbabwe desperately looked for a breakthrough. Shafiq and Hafeez were solid with the bat, as they kept the scoreboard ticking.
One run short of his half century, Hafeez was back in the pavilion. Caught at first slip by Price, the Zimbabwean’s were celebrating their second wicket of the game. Utseya was credited with the wicket.
Promoting himself up the order in the hopes of finishing the match with a strong run rate, Shahid Afridi made his way on the pitch. His plan though failed, as he was clean bowled by Price for three runs.
Younis Khan was the next man in, as the Zimbabwean bowlers looked to capitalise on the two quick wickets.
By the end of the 25th over Pakistan was firmly in control with the required run rate at 3.84 runs per over while Pakistan’s was at 4.52.
Asad Shafiq had his half century in the 28th over after a strong innings by the debutant. A few overs later, Lamb was on the receiving end of two consecutive boundaries in an expensive 30th over costing his side 11 runs.
With 23 balls to spare Shafiq scored the winning runs off a well timed shot for four. The Pakistani batsman scoring 78 runs off 97 balls in a well constructed innings.
Price was the pick of the Zimbabwean bowlers, picking up two wickets on a day where Pakistan was comfortable with both the ball and the bat. Rain had a major part to play, but nothing can be taken away from a solid Pakistani performance.
Tags: