Pakistan won the Ist T20match against Zimbabwe
LAHORE:By Asghar Ali Mubarak
The hosts Pakistan won the Ist T20match against Zimbabwe batting second, getting the 173-run Zimbabwe target with three balls to spare. Captain . Shahid Afridi hit the winning four as Pakistan get the Zimbabwe target of 173 with 3 balls to spare in his boom boom style in presence of jam-packed stadium .In the last over Pakistan require 6 runs with 6 wickets and 6 balls remaining with Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed on the crease. Shoaib Malik was bowled on the second ball of last over when run a ball required in the last over. Umar Akmal goes early too after hitting just a four, caught Sibanda bowled Vitori for 4. Pakistan require another 11 runs with 6 wickets and 13 balls remaining. Mohammad Hafeez gives away his wicket cheaply caught behind after a promising start with a four and a six. Pakistan 161/3 require another 12 runs with 7 wickets and 18 balls remaining. Man of match Fans would not be able to enjoy Mukhtar Ahmed’s maiden T20 century as he got out shortly after the departure of his opening partner Ahmed Shehzad. He made 83 in just 45 balls with 12 fours and 3 sixes. Pakistan require another 29 runs with 8 wickets and 31 balls remaining. Ahmed Shehzad is out after scoring a technically solid half-century (55 in 39 balls). Pakistan require another 31 runs with 9 wickets and 36 balls remaining. Ahmed Shehzad has joined his opening partner Ahmed Mukhtar, scoring a sound half-century in just 35 balls with six fours and a six. Pakistan now require another 44 runs with 10 wickets and 48 balls remaining. Pakistani openers have provided a solid platform to achieve the 173-run Zimbabwe target as they build a 100-run partnership. Pakistan are now 109/0 and require another 64 runs with 10 wickets and 60 balls remaining. Pakistan’s new opener Mukhtar Ahmed announces his arrival at the international arena with a fiery half-century in just 26 balls against Zimbabwe in the first T20. He reached his 50 with a towering six and also hit 10 boundaries in his innings. Pakistan are now 89/0 after 8 overs. It looks like Ahmed Shehzad has just arrived at Gaddafi stadium as he joins his opening partner Mukhtar with a boundary and six in the fifth over. He is not out at 13 in 10 balls. Pakistan are 60/0 after 5 over. Opener Mukhtar Ahmed is hitting boundaries at will in Pakistan’s reply to 173-run target set by the visitors. He is batting on 42 with 9 fours in just 19 balls. Pakistan are 49/0 after 4 over. Opener Mukhtar Ahmed hit two boundaries in Zimbabwe’s first over in Pakistan’s reply to 173-run target set by the visitors. Ahmed Shehzad was non-striker end. Pakistan are 11/0 after first over. Zimbabwe scored 172 runs at the loss of six wickets in the first T20 international against Pakistan. Captain Chigumbura remained the top scorer with 54. Sami took 3, Wahab 2 and Malik 1 wicket for Pakistan. Wahab Riaz has taken the most important wicket of Zimbabwe skipper Elton Chigumbura, who played brilliantly for his 54. Riaz clean-bowled him, Zimbabwe are 170/6 after in the last over. Hats off to Zimbabwe captain Elton Chuigumbura, who has reached his half-century in just 33 balls with a brilliant sixer. Zimbabwe are now 165/5 after 18.2 overs. Pakistani pacer Mohammad Sami, who is making a yet another international comeback, took his third wicket of the match. Sikandar Raza caught Ahmed Shehzad bowled Mohammad Sami for 17. Zimbabwe are now 142/5 after 17. Shoaib Malik takes fourth wicket for Pakistan after wicketkeeper Sarfraz missed two stumping chances off Malik and Afridi. Sean Williams caught Wahab Riaz for 16, Zimbabwe are now 100/4 after 13. Pakistan’s ace pacer Wahab Riaz bowled a frightening bouncer to Charles Coventry, which took an edge and went straight in Sarfraz’s gloves. Coventry made 14 runs. Zimbabwe are now 76/3 after 9. Mohammad Sami gets the first two wicket for Pakistan on two successive deliveries. Both openers are now gone, Sibanada out caught Sarfraz Ahmed on 13 and Masakadza caught and bowled on 43. Zimbabwe are 58/2 after 7 overs. Zimbabwe openers, Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda are playing brilliantly to give their a flying start. Masakadza, who s on 42 (25), hit seven boundaries and a huge six in his innings so far. Zimbabwe are 54/0 after 6 overs of fielding restrictions.
Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura won the toss and decided to bat first against Pakistan in the first T20 International of the series. He seemed confident and lauded the massive crowd for supporting the both teams.
Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi said the whole team was waiting anxiously for this moment to arrive, adding that he was delighted on return of international cricket in the country.
He hoped that other teams will follow the footsteps of Zimbabwe and tour Pakistan in near future.
Afridi said he was happy with the team combination with three genuine pacers and Anwar Ali as an all-rounder
Pacer Anwar Ali has started Pakistan’s bowling attack in the first T20 against Zimbabwe. He is looking good as all his deliveries are right on the money just outside the off stump. Zimbabwe are 1 without any loss after the first over.
Hamilton Masakadza is playing brilliantly with non-striker Vusi Sibanda just a mere spectator on the other end. Masakadza is on 27 (18), Zimbabwe are 33/0 after 4.3 overs.
Mohammad Sami is bowling the second over for Pakistan and went for two boundaries on his first two deliveries. Hamilton Masakadza played two brilliant strokes to open his account. Vusi Sibanda is on the other end.
