Zimbabwe Beat Pakistan by 80 Runs On The DLS Method In 1st Odi

In a rain affected first one day international match between Zimbabwe and Pakistan at Queens Sports Club of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe managed to win by 80 runs using the Duckworth Lewis nature of scoring. Zimbabwe are now leading the three match series 1-0.

Of notable importance was the 62 run partnership between Sukandar Raza and Richard Ngarava which pushed the Zimbabweans to 205/7. Ngarava held up the pressure well with some great defensive play and powerful slog sweeps.

With an impressive action, Blessing Muzarabani is a slender and tall fast bowler. Blessing Muzarabani is originally from a slum area known as Highfield in southern Zimbabwe where people used to think twice before setting foot outside due to economy related wars and rampant hyperinflation. It was a childhood that made Muzarabani understand the difficulties that his nation goes through and the strength that is needed to keep the game of cricket played in the country.

Such a strength has been crucial for the Zimbabwean players in the last couple of years where there have been one disappointment after another. No one can say with certainty what lies in the future for Zimbabwe, but Muzarabani has the trust in the present team to see them through another generation.

The Zimbabweans shot off the blocks with powerplay pair Tadiwanashe Marumani and Joylord Gumbie who pushed back the Pakistani bowlers. However, a mix-up led to Gumbie’s run out which coupled with gaging loss of several other key wickets put the hosts at a 125-7 precarious position.

However, a gritty eighth wicket partnership of 62 runs between Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava changed the momentum and carried the home team to a respectable figure of 205 all out. Raza was not out on 48 and was awarded the Man of the Match in the spectacular victory of Sean Williams who finished the match after taking 2/7 in the Zimbabwean inning. Clearly, Zimbabwe is aware that they are on a winning streak despite having played the first ODI that was overly cut short by rain. They will want to build on this in the second game which will be played on November 26.

Richard Ngarava

Richard Ngarava was quite vital on the day Zimbabwe managed to beat Pakistan in the rain affected 1st ODI. He bowled a tight line and was probing length to ensure the Pakistani batters the uncomfortable throughout the innings. His fast start set the tone for the rest of the Zimbabwean bowlers as they were able to take wickets at regular intervals while Pakistan failed to chase the target. The Collaboration of Sikandar Raza and Ngarava is one of the most decisive factors which helped Zimbabwe go through to win the match.

While chasing the score, Zimbabwe got off to a great start in their batting through Tadiwanashe Marumani and Joylord Gumbie’s explosive hitting in the powerplay. It wasn’t long before their innings was broken again when Dion Mayers and Craig Ervine fell at regular intervals. They were struggling on 125/7 when Sikandar Raza and Ngarava came to their rescue sharing a 62 ball partnership.

Owning the victory, the Zimbabwean cricket team has proved that they can match up with the higher-ranking teams. Although they faced great obstacles in the early stages, they do not lack resilience, determination, and aggression all of which are critical assets in winning this series. Their home advantage also worked in helping them acclimatize to the weather and pitch conditions more than their Pakistani counterparts. This in turn will enable them to fine-tune their game and realize their full potential. The rain – marred 1st ODI has set the stage for an interesting series with many flavors.

Sikander Raza

At the rain affected ODI in Bulawayo where his team batted under Duckworth Lewis Stern method, the Canadian-born Pakistani cricketer Sikandar Raza emerged as the first scorer for the win as he helped them beat Pakistan by scoring 80 runs. The 24-year-old scored 39 runs in bat and bowled 2/7 giving his team the first win of the three match series. Where he was also named the Player of the Match for that performance.

The team playing at their home ground won the toss and decided to bat first. However, the opening stand of Joylord Gumbie who scored 29 runs and Tadiwanashe Marumani who managed 30 runs crumbled against the pace attack of Pakistan’s junior team. The team that visited Pakistan did not have their regular fast bowlers and decided to start with a new unfamiliar attack.

Pakistan’s batting order fell apart, with the team finding itself on 60 for six after 21 overs, before rain stopped play and the game was cut short, having revised target at hand of 206. Mohammad Rizwan, Saeem Ayub, Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Asif all of them failed to score in double figures as targets while chasing were looking rough.

Then, the spinners Salman Ali Agha and Faisal Akram on his debut spun the match totally around for their side after taking dismissals at regular intervals. The duo was able to pull off a critical 62-run partnership for the eighth wicket so as to offer up some resistance. In the close moments of the encounter, Richard Ngarava and Sikandar Raza played quite well, scoring 39 and 48 runs respectively to give their side a respectable total.

Haris Rauf

Haris Raw was an enthusiastic young cricketer who made his way to the Qalandars’ for the Pakistan Super League debut in 2016 and later became an instant success in the Big Bash League. From domestic cricket, Rauf became a household name as a fast bowler who had the ability to take wickets wherever he played.

Raza, at bagging 62 runs while at seventh-wicket, was the cornerstone for Zimbabwe in securing a total of 205 runs over India – however, the fighting spirit of and until manages to secure a good lead after making losing four wickets – Sikandar Raza’s team unfortunately – won by 52 runs.  

Pakistan dominated the game taking wickets with both feet forward – wonderfully pulling off scalps in the mere four runs on pieces of aggression. A wondrous spinning delivery got Pakistan’s Kamran Ghulam turning and rimming off – Rauf wobbly avoiding his last Rauf for what pitted them both, Pakistan and Zimbabwe, in a neck to neck battle.

With several snicks flying about, Rauf received several unexpected chances to continue the fight at the very last and acquired an easy and comfortable catch – much to the western cricket spectators content where ball removal becomes a major highlight. Raza, not disadvantaged by the appearance of Mazhar, opened the innings by shyly bowling some hard overs on domestic cricket.