| 0.0 : TOSS - Zimbabwe have won the toss and they will BAT first! |
| Craig Ervine, the skipper of Zimbabwe says the wicket will play pretty much the same and they want to put up a good score on the board and put them under pressure. Adds they have to be ready for their pace attack, they need to adapt quickly and do well. Informs they have one change. |
| Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan says they wanted to bowl first as there might be some movement earlier on. Informs everyone is fit and ready to go. Adds they have one change, Asif is out and Wasim comes in. |
| Zimbabwe (Playing XI) - Regis Chakabva (WK), Craig Ervine (C), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Wesley Madhevere, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans (In for Tendai Chatara). |
| Pakistan (Playing XI) - Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Babar Azam (C), Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Haider Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim (In for Asif Ali). |
| We are all set for the action but as we have seen before, it will be national anthems first. It will be Zimbabwe's first followed by Pakistan's. |
| Done with pre-match formalities, it is time for action. The players are out in the middle. Regis Chakabva and Craig Ervine to open for Zimbabwe. Shaheen Afridi to start with the ball. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : Shaheen Afridi to Wesley Madhevere, Wesley Madhevere and Zimbabwe are underway straightaway! Three to start the innings. How rare is that? Do not remember a batter getting off with three runs last. Such is the ground here, you may see quite a few threes. Afridi goes for a yorker but ends up serving a full toss, this is clipped through square leg for three. |
| 0.2 : Shaheen Afridi to Craig Ervine, Two more! Ervine is off the mark too. One more delivery on the pads, Shaheen probably looking to shape it away from leg but this goes on with the angle. It is worked over square leg for a couple. |
| 0.3 : Shaheen Afridi to Craig Ervine, Leading edge but safe! Length and on middle, Ervine looks to work it on the leg side but this one holds its line. It goes off the leading edge down to third man for one. |
| 0.4 : Shaheen Afridi to Wesley Madhevere, FOUR! That is wonderful, just wonderful timing! Afridi goes fuller and on off, no swing for him. This is pushed down the ground, the straight boundaries are small and this races away to the fence. |
| 0.5 : Shaheen Afridi to Wesley Madhevere, FOUR! To the left of Azam at mid off this time! This is even better and Zimbabwe are off to a flier. Fuller again and on off, Wesley Madhevere shows the full face of the bat and creams it through extra cover. Shaheen is not getting swing, he needs to drag his length back. |
| 0.6 : Shaheen Afridi to Wesley Madhevere, He does and that is a dot to end! Length and outside off, left alone. A really good first over for Zimbabwe. |
| Naseem Shah to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : Naseem Shah to Craig Ervine, FOUR! Slapped away! It is raining boundaries here! On a length and outside off, Craig Ervine stands tall and slaps it through covers for another boundary. |
| 1.2 : Naseem Shah to Craig Ervine, FOUR! Make that three in a row! This is timing wonderfully agai! On middle, Craig Ervine clips it past mid-wicket. This one also races away to the fence. Pakistan under pressure earlier on here. |
| 1.3 : Naseem Shah to Craig Ervine, That is a beauty! Drags his length back, bowls it on off and angles it away. Ervine looks to defend but is beaten. |
| 1.4 : Naseem Shah to Craig Ervine, Uppish but does not carry! Length and on off, Ervine looks to drive it on the up, he does so uppishly but on the bounce to mid off. |
| 1.5 : Naseem Shah to Craig Ervine, Three dots in a row! On off, this is guided to point. |
| 1.6 : Naseem Shah to Craig Ervine, A single to end! A good comeback then by the bowler after going for two boundaries on the first two balls. Outside off, this is guided down to third man for one. |
| 2.1 : Mohammad Wasim to Craig Ervine, WIDE! This is short and very wide outside off. Craig Ervine goes after it but misses. The Pakistan bowlers have just not started well. |
| Mohammad Wasim to Craig Ervine, This is a good delivery! This starts outside off and then comes back in, slightly shorter. Ervine looks to cut but not enough room to play that shot. He ends up chopping it to the keeper. |
| 2.2 : Mohammad Wasim to Craig Ervine, Some movement for Wasim again! On middle, this one comes back in. Extra bounce too. Ervine works it on the leg side by taking one hand off the handle. A run taken. |
| 2.4 : Mohammad Wasim to Craig Ervine, Outside off, this is guided down to third man for one. |
| 2.3 : Mohammad Wasim to Wesley Madhevere, That has hit Wesley Madhevere! Might have hurt him! This is banged in short and on middle, Wesley Madhevere looks to pull but takes his eyes off the ball. It goes off the top edge, hits the body and then falls just beside the stumps. A run taken. Leg bye given. There may have been no top edge there. |
| 2.5 : Mohammad Wasim to Wesley Madhevere, FOUR! Poor ball and put away! This is short and wide outside off, asking to be hit. Wesley Madhevere cuts it past point and this races away to the fence. |
| 2.6 : Mohammad Wasim to Wesley Madhevere, A dot to end! A testing over by Wasim but till, a productive one for Zimbabwe. On off, this shapes away. Wesley Madhevere hangs his bat out and is beaten. |
| 3.1 : Naseem Shah to Craig Ervine, Two more! Pakistan continue to go full! No swing on this one again. It is hit towards mid off. Azam dives to his left and makes a good half stop. Two taken. |
| 3.2 : Naseem Shah to Craig Ervine, That is a good stop again! On the pads, Ervine flicks it towards short fine leg. Wasim dives to his left and saves three for his side. |
| 3.3 : Naseem Shah to Wesley Madhevere, This is wayward! Down the leg side. Wesley lets it be. Wided. |
| Naseem Shah to Wesley Madhevere, Good length and on off, Wesley guides it to point. This is where they need to bowl more. |
| 3.4 : Naseem Shah to Wesley Madhevere, Tip and run! On off, this is pushed towards cover for a quick run. |
| 3.5 : Naseem Shah to Craig Ervine, Outside off, Ervine opens the face of the bat and guides it down to third man for one. |
| 3.6 : Naseem Shah to Wesley Madhevere, WIDE! Another extra! Down the leg side. Wesley Madhevere looks to pull but misses. |
| Naseem Shah to Wesley Madhevere, The extra ball does not cost Pakistan! On a length and around off, this is pushed to cover. |
| 4.1 : Haris Rauf to Craig Ervine, Good stop in the end! Length and on off, Ervine guides it towards point. Shadab dives to his right and makes a good stop. |
| 4.2 : Haris Rauf to Craig Ervine, On the pads, Craig Ervine looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad and rolls towards short fine leg. A run taken. |
| 4.3 : Haris Rauf to Wesley Madhevere, On off, Wesley Madhevere pushes it towards cover for one. |
| 4.4 : Haris Rauf to Craig Ervine, Two mor! On the pads, this is clipped nicely towards deep square leg. The fielder runs to his right and keeps it down to two. |
| 4.5 : Haris Rauf to Craig Ervine, Really nice bounce there! Short and outside off, this one keeps on rising. Ervine looks to cut but is beaten. |
| 4.6 : Haris Rauf to Craig Ervine, OUT! TAKEN! That is a fine catch and Rauf, who has been the go-to man for Pakistan, strikes in his first over and breaks the stand that was going along so nicely. This is short and fast on middle, Ervine looks to pull, he probably tries to pull as he is late in getting out of the way. He is not watching the ball while doing so. It goes off the top edge towards short fine leg. Wasim runs back and takes it nicely. |
| 5.1 : Mohammad Wasim to Wesley Madhevere, WIDE! Another extra! Short and down the leg side. Wesley Madhevere looks to pull but misses. |
| Mohammad Wasim to Wesley Madhevere, Gets his line right this time! Slightly shorter and on the body. Wesley Madhevere hangs back and defends again. |
| 5.2 : Mohammad Wasim to Wesley Madhevere, A HUGE APPEAL FOR LBW BUT TURNED DOWN! Pakistan review but it seems high! OUT! THREE REDS! Did not see that coming, the way it is bouncing here, it seemed like it would go over! It though is hitting off and that is a really good review from Pakistan. They have both the openers in quick succession now. This is on a length and around off, this lands and skids through. Wesley Madhevere shuffles across and looks to flick but misses to get hit near the knee ro |
| 5.3 : Mohammad Wasim to Sean Williams, FOUR! A gift for Williams to get off the mark and he takes full toll of it. This is short and outside off, Williams goes after it, it goes more off the top edge wide of the fielder at third man and into the fence. |
| 5.4 : Mohammad Wasim to Sean Williams, This is short and on middle, this one skids through. Sean Williams pulls but it goes off the splice to mid on. He was beaten for pace there. |
| 5.5 : Mohammad Wasim to Sean Williams, That is hit hard but to the fielder! Shorter and outside off, Williams cuts but to point. |
| 5.6 : Mohammad Wasim to Sean Williams, Three dots to end! On off, this is pushed to cover. Pakistan have done well to pull things back in the Powerplay. Zimbabwe are 47 for 2. |
| 6.1 : Shaheen Afridi to Milton Shumba, Length and around off, this is guided down to third man for one. |
| 6.2 : Shaheen Afridi to Sean Williams, BEATEN! This is on a length and outside off, this one holds its line a little. Sean Williams looks to push at it but is beaten. |
| 6.3 : Shaheen Afridi to Sean Williams, That is a beauty! Wow! Shaheen goes wide of the crease and angles it into the off pole. This lands and moves away. Williams is beaten as he looks to play it on the leg side. It goes over the off pole. |
| 6.4 : Shaheen Afridi to Sean Williams, Leading edge but safe! Angled into middle, Williams looks to work it on the leg side. It goes off the leading edge but lands just ahead of Shaheen who runs after the ball. |
| 6.5 : Shaheen Afridi to Sean Williams, Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through square leg for one. |
| 6.6 : Shaheen Afridi to Milton Shumba, That is a top over from Shaheen! Milton Shumba steps out and looks to go over mid off. Shaheen drags his length back. This lands and moves away. Goes past the outside edge. |
| 7.1 : Shadab Khan to Sean Williams, On off, this is pushed down to long off for one. |
| 7.3 : Shadab Khan to Sean Williams, On middle, this is worked down to long on for one more. |
| 7.2 : Shadab Khan to Milton Shumba, Another single as this is pushed down to long off. |
| 7.4 : Shadab Khan to Milton Shumba, Shorter and on middle, this is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 7.5 : Shadab Khan to Milton Shumba, Shorter and on the pads, this is pulled to short fine leg. The fielder misfields but it is just the one. |
| 7.6 : Shadab Khan to Sean Williams, That goes just over the off pole. The extra bounce saves Williams! Tosses it up outside off, Williams looks to play the slog sweep but misses. It goes over the off pole. Pakistan continue to keep it tight. |
| 8.1 : Shaheen Afridi to Milton Shumba, Goes for a yorker but ends up serving a full toss, this is worked to mid-wicket. Another dot. |
| 8.2 : Shaheen Afridi to Milton Shumba, FOUR! Short and pulled away! On middle, this is dragged over the mid-wicket fielder and into the fence. Welcome boundary. This will release a little bit of pressure. |
| 8.3 : Shaheen Afridi to Milton Shumba, Fuller and on off, this is pushed towards mid off for one. |
| 8.4 : Shaheen Afridi to Sean Williams, Overthrow and an extra run! On off, this is pushed through covers. They go for one. The throw hits the stumps at the keeper's end and deflects away from the fielder backing up. One more taken. |
| 8.5 : Shaheen Afridi to Sean Williams, DROPPED! That should have bee taken! This is short and on middle, Williams pulls, it goes more off the splice towards mid-wicket. Iftikhar Ahmed dives to his left but spills it. One taken. Shaheen would have loved that wicket. He is wicket-less since the time he has returned and that would have lifted his spirit. |
| 8.6 : Shaheen Afridi to Milton Shumba, That has taken off! Length and on middle, this one gets big on the batter. Shumba looks to fend at it, it goes off the splice and lands safe on the off side. |
| 9.1 : Shadab Khan to Sean Williams, Two! On the pads, this is worked through square leg for two. |
| 9.3 : Shadab Khan to Sean Williams, This is swept through mid-wicket for one. |
| 9.4 : Shadab Khan to Milton Shumba, OUT! TAKEN! Caught and bowled! That is nicely taken! Really good from Shadab Khan! This is tossed up on off, Milton Shumba looks to push at it, this one holds in the surface a touch. It goes uppishly to the right of the bowler who takes it. |
| 9.2 : Shadab Khan to Sean Williams, On off, this is pushed to cover. |
| 9.5 : Shadab Khan to Sikandar Raza, Raza is off the mark! A full toss on the pads, this is pushed down to long on for one. |
| 9.6 : Shadab Khan to Sean Williams, Two more! On off, this is hit over cover for two. |
| 10.1 : Haris Rauf to Sikandar Raza, Length and outside off. Raza looks to push but misses. |
| 10.2 : Haris Rauf to Sikandar Raza, On a length and on middle. Blocked out. |
| 10.3 : Haris Rauf to Sikandar Raza, Three dots now! lovely bowling! Short in length and on top of middle. Raza gets inside the line to push but again misses. |
| 10.4 : Haris Rauf to Sikandar Raza, Make it four! Rauf serves a bouncer now on middle. Raza ducks under it. |
| 10.5 : Haris Rauf to Sikandar Raza, Length and on middle, pushed straight to mid off. Can Rauf end with a dot? |
| 10.6 : Haris Rauf to Sikandar Raza, FOUR LEG BYES! Length ball, sliding down. Raza misses his flick and it goes off the pads to fine leg for a boundary. |
| 11.1 : Shadab Khan to Sean Williams, Tossed up on the pads. Williams pulls it to deep square leg for one. |
| 11.2 : Shadab Khan to Sikandar Raza, DROP AND RUN! Flatter ball, around off. Raza taps it to point for a single. |
| 11.3 : Shadab Khan to Sean Williams, Too full and on off, swept to mid-wicket. |
| 11.4 : Shadab Khan to Sean Williams, Tossed up, on leg. Williams makes room and punches it to long off for a single. |
| 11.5 : Shadab Khan to Sikandar Raza, Outside off, dabbed to short third man for a single. |
| 11.6 : Shadab Khan to Sean Williams, A single to end the over as this is hit to long on. |
| 12.1 : Naseem Shah to Sean Williams, Fuller ball, around off. Williams makes room and knocks it through cover for one. |
| 12.2 : Naseem Shah to Sikandar Raza, FOUR! First boundary in some four overs! On a length and outside off. Raza smashes it over covers and it races into the fence. |
| 12.3 : Naseem Shah to Sikandar Raza, This is full and around off. Raza lofts it to long on for one. |
| 12.4 : Naseem Shah to Sean Williams, FOUR! through the gap! Short and down leg. Williams pulls it behind square on the leg side for a boundary. |
| 12.5 : Naseem Shah to Sean Williams, This is full and on middle. Williams pushes it straight back on the non-striker's end. Shah failed to get a hand on it. |
| 12.6 : Naseem Shah to Sean Williams, Short in length and on middle. Williams chops it to the left of the keeper for a quick single. |
| 13.1 : Shadab Khan to Sean Williams, FOUR! Just short! Tossed up, outside off. Williams slog-sweeps it to deep mid-wicket. The fielder there runs to his right and forward and dives but the ball just bounces in front of him. It rolls through for a boundary. |
| 13.2 : Shadab Khan to Sean Williams, THREE RUNS! Well played! This is way outside off. Williams reverse hits it through cover for three runs. |
| 13.3 : Shadab Khan to Sikandar Raza, Flatter and around off, guided to point. |
| 13.4 : Shadab Khan to Sikandar Raza, Floated, outside off. Raza works it to long off for a single. |
| 13.5 : Shadab Khan to Sean Williams, OUT! BOWLED! Williams fails to connect this time! Shadab Khan bowls in line with the stumps, this is flat. Williams again goes for the switch-hit but misses it completely and the ball hits the stumps. Relief for Pakistan as Williams was just about to press the gas. |
| Regis Chakabva comes in. |
| 13.6 : Shadab Khan to Regis Chakabva, OUT! TAKEN! WHAT A CATCH! Babar Azam, take a bow! One of the best of this tournament! Just brilliant. Tossed up, outside off, spinning away. Regis Chakabva prods to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and flies to the right of first slip. Babar Azam there dives and takes a one handed stunner. The ball sticks firmly in his palms. Superb stuff. Shadab Khan ends his spell with a wicket. |
| 14.1 : Mohammad Wasim to Sikandar Raza, On a length and on middle. Raza gets a leading edge as he looks to work on the leg side. The ball falls short of mid-wicket. |
| 14.2 : Mohammad Wasim to Sikandar Raza, Outside off. Raza swings and miss. |
| 14.3 : Mohammad Wasim to Sikandar Raza, OUT! CAUGHT! Body-blow for Zimbabwe! Raza goes! Three wickets in five balls! Zimbabwe are falling apart! Wasim serves it short and rolls his fingers on it. Raza tries to clear the longest boundary as he pulls this to deep mid-wicket but hits it straight in the hands of Haris Rauf. |
| 14.4 : Mohammad Wasim to Luke Jongwe, OUT! BOWLED! Naseem Shah is on a Hat-trick now! Four wickets for no run! What a comeback from Pakistan! They have complete dominance on this game right now! Short of a length and on middle. Not quite sure what Luke Jongwe was trying to play as he bends his back and tries to ab through third man but gets a bottom edge and the ball deflects onto the stumps. |
| Brad Evans walks out. |
| 14.5 : Mohammad Wasim to Brad Evans, Wide! Anti-climatic! Serves a fuller ball down the leg side. Evans misses his flick. |
| Mohammad Wasim to Brad Evans, Wide! Again down the leg side. Wided. |
| Mohammad Wasim to Brad Evans, Full and outside off, pushed through point for a single. |
| 14.6 : Mohammad Wasim to Ryan Burl, Bangs a bouncer, outside off. Burl leaves it alone. What an over from Mohammad Wasim. What a period for Pakistan. |
| 15.1 : Shaheen Afridi to Brad Evans, A length ball, outside off. Evans has a poke at it but misses. |
| 15.2 : Shaheen Afridi to Brad Evans, On the pads, flicked behind square leg for a single. |
| 15.3 : Shaheen Afridi to Ryan Burl, Leg bye! very full and angling on the pads. Burl misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. A huge appeal for LBW but that was going down. |
| 15.4 : Shaheen Afridi to Brad Evans, Shorter and on the hips, pulled behind square leg two. |
| 15.5 : Shaheen Afridi to Brad Evans, Fuller ball, outside off. Evans drives it through covers for one. |
| 15.6 : Shaheen Afridi to Ryan Burl, A single to end the over as Burl pushes it to mid on. |
| 16.1 : Haris Rauf to Ryan Burl, Full and on off. Burl pushes it to mid on. Babar Azam is a bit too casual as he picks the ball and the batters take two. |
| 16.2 : Haris Rauf to Ryan Burl, Short in length and outside off, pulled to mid-wicket. |
| 16.3 : Haris Rauf to Ryan Burl, Short ball, outside off. Burl is hurried as he pulls it to mid on. One. |
| 16.4 : Haris Rauf to Brad Evans, Outside off, dabbed to third man for a single. |
| 16.5 : Haris Rauf to Ryan Burl, Short of a length and outside off. Burl pulls it to mid-wicket. |
| 16.6 : Haris Rauf to Ryan Burl, A bouncer now on middle. Burl misses his pull. |
| 17.1 : Naseem Shah to Brad Evans, Three runs! Zimbabwe are using the longer part well. Not a bad option as they are not able to buy some boundaries. Length and on middle. Evans smashes it to deep cover for three runs. |
| 17.2 : Naseem Shah to Ryan Burl, On middle, eased to long on for one. |
| 17.3 : Naseem Shah to Brad Evans, A yorker, just outside off. Evans jams it out to point for a single. |
| 17.4 : Naseem Shah to Ryan Burl, Shah follows Burl with the short ball on the off side. Burl looks to play behind the keeper to fine leg but misses. |
| 17.5 : Naseem Shah to Ryan Burl, Short again. Burl mistimes his pull to mid on just for one. |
| 17.6 : Naseem Shah to Brad Evans, Shah keeps bowling short. Evans pulls it to deep square leg for a single. Tidy over from Naseem Shah. |
| 18.1 : Haris Rauf to Brad Evans, A length ball, following Evans on the leg side. He swings and misses. Good start to the over. |
| 18.2 : Haris Rauf to Brad Evans, Full and on the pads, flicked to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 18.3 : Haris Rauf to Ryan Burl, DROPPED! This is full and on middle. Burl slogs it to deep mid-wicket. The fielder there probably worried more about the ropes and stumbled to take the catch. He had more yards behind than he though so. Pakistan have been not so good on the field. Haider Ali it was. |
| 18.4 : Haris Rauf to Ryan Burl, Outside off. Burl swings and misses. |
| 18.5 : Haris Rauf to Ryan Burl, Short in length and on middle. Burl swings across but gets an inside edge to square leg for a single. |
| 18.6 : Haris Rauf to Brad Evans, A yorker from Rauf, on middle. Evans jams it out on the deck. The batters cross for a quick single. Rauf misses his shy at the batter's end. A wonderful spell from Haris Rauf comes to an end. |
| 19.1 : Mohammad Wasim to Brad Evans, Very full and just around leg. Evans steps across to sweep but misses. |
| 19.2 : Mohammad Wasim to Brad Evans, SIX! Crucial runs! Much needed! Short of a length and outside off. Evans hoicks it to the longer side and clears the mid-wicket fence with ease. |
| 19.3 : Mohammad Wasim to Brad Evans, OUT! BOWLED! Mohammad Wasim strikes back! This is very full and on the base of middle and leg. Evans tries to heave but misses and the stumps are disturbed. Wasim gets his fourth wicket. |
| 19.4 : Mohammad Wasim to Richard Ngarava, Full and on the pads, flicked to deep square leg for a single. |
| 19.5 : Mohammad Wasim to Ryan Burl, A yorker on leg. Burl squeezes it out to mid-wicket for one. Can Mohammad Wasim finish with a five-fer? |
| 19.6 : Mohammad Wasim to Richard Ngarava, No five-wicket haul but an excellent spell from him! Full and on middle. Richard Ngarava pushes it to mid on and takes a couple of runs. ZIMBABWE END WITH 130. |
| That is a really good performance with the ball by Pakistan! Zimbabwe on the other hand will be very disappointed with the score they have on the board. Let me remind you, their openers were going at around 10 per over at the start. Once the first wicket fell, they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and the scoring rate also got down. Rauf was absolutely brilliant along with Shadab in the middle overs. Wasim was also very impressive in his return to the side. Naseem Shah had a day off. Sha |
| For Zimbabwe, after the initial few overs, it was a struggle for all their batters. The problem for them was they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and at one time, they lost 4 for no runs at all. That killed all the hopes of them getting to a competitive total. At one stage even 120 looked far away but Evans and Burl have taken them above that and have given their bowlers something to bowl at. |
| Shadab Khan is up for a chat. He says the catch was brilliant by Babar Azam, he has not been at his best in the field but he took a stunner. States he was varying the speed and the slower he bowled, it spun. Reckons they have a top bowling unit and they needed to restrict them to a low score. |
| Right then! Not a big score and this should be an easy one for the Pakistani batters. Zimbabwe bowlers need to be sharp from the start. Stay tuned for the chase. |
| ...THE CHASE... |
| We are back for Pakistan's reply. The players are out in the middle. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam to open for Pakistan. |
| 0.1 : Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Rizwan, Sharp start! Short in length on the hips, swinging in. Rizwan looks to defend but misses and gets hit on the pads. |
| 0.2 : Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Rizwan, In the air but safe! Short ball on middle, Rizwan is hurried as he looks to pull. He is bit of cramped and the ball goes wide of square leg for a single. |
| 0.3 : Richard Ngarava to Babar Azam, On a length and outside off. Azam defends it out. |
| 0.4 : Richard Ngarava to Babar Azam, On a length and outside off. Azam flashes and misses. |
| 0.5 : Richard Ngarava to Babar Azam, Wide! This one swings down the leg side. Azam misses his flick. Good take by the keeper. |
| Richard Ngarava to Babar Azam, SWING AND A MISS! This is full and outside off. Azam looks to drive but misses. |
| 0.6 : Richard Ngarava to Babar Azam, On a length and outside off. Azam punches it straight to cover. |
| 1.1 : Blessing Muzarabani to Mohammad Rizwan, On a length and on middle. Kept out. |
| 1.2 : Blessing Muzarabani to Mohammad Rizwan, This is full and around off. Rizwan defends it to short cover. |
| 1.3 : Blessing Muzarabani to Mohammad Rizwan, Right on the money from Blessing Muzarabani! Full and on off. Rizwan pushes it to mid off. |
| 1.4 : Blessing Muzarabani to Mohammad Rizwan, Full again on middle. Rizwan sweeps across behind square leg for a single. |
| 1.5 : Blessing Muzarabani to Babar Azam, Azam is yet to get off the mark! On a length and outside off. Azam looks to punch but misses. |
| 1.6 : Blessing Muzarabani to Babar Azam, Full and on off, pushed to mid on. |
| 2.1 : Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Rizwan, Length and just outside off. Rizwan looks to push but it seams in and beats on the inside edge. |
| 2.2 : Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Rizwan, FOUR! Wonderful shot! First off the chase. Short and outside off. Rizwan pulls it over mid-wicket for four. |
| 2.3 : Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Rizwan, Length and outside off, cut to point. |
| 2.4 : Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Rizwan, QUICK SINGLE! A direct hit was needed! Length and on off. Rizwan drops it to mid off and takes a sharp single. |
| 2.5 : Richard Ngarava to Babar Azam, FOUR! This will calm his nerves! Babar is off the mark! Short again, around off. Azam pulls it past mid on and mid-wicket for four runs. |
| 2.6 : Richard Ngarava to Babar Azam, Length ball, outside off. Azam cuts it to the man at point. Milton Shumba leaps and saves a certain boundary. Eventful over! 9 runs from it. |
| 3.1 : Brad Evans to Mohammad Rizwan, Very full and on off. Rizwan clips it straight to mid on. |
| 3.2 : Brad Evans to Mohammad Rizwan, Leg bye! This one is on the pads. Rizwan looks to heave but gets hit on the pads. It rolls to cover for a leg bye. |
| 3.3 : Brad Evans to Babar Azam, OUT! TAKEN! Brad Evans gets the big wicket! The captain was struggling and now he departs! On a length and around off, the ball sticks in the surface a bit and seams away as well. Babar Azam looks to work on the leg side but gets a leading edge and it flies to backward point where Ryan Burl holds onto it. A good start by Zimbabwe. |
| 3.4 : Brad Evans to Shan Masood, Very full and outside off. Shan Masood drives it to mid off for a single. |
| 3.5 : Brad Evans to Mohammad Rizwan, On a length and on middle, flicked to mid-wicket. |
| 3.6 : Brad Evans to Mohammad Rizwan, SIX! GOES ALL THE WAY! This is full and on middle. Rizwan gets inside the line as he has a big swipe across but gets a top edge and the ball flies high behind the keeper and goes over the fence for a biggie. |
| 4.1 : Blessing Muzarabani to Shan Masood, Very full and outside off. Masood jams it out to third man for one. |
| 4.2 : Blessing Muzarabani to Mohammad Rizwan, On a length and on the pads. Rizwan flicks it behind square leg for one. |
| 4.3 : Blessing Muzarabani to Shan Masood, On a length and on middle. Masood works it to cover for a single. |
| 4.4 : Blessing Muzarabani to Mohammad Rizwan, OUT! RIZWAN GOES! Zimbabwe have got two big wickets! Just what they wanted at an early stage! Blessing Muzarabani is pumped up! On a length and outside off, Mohammad Rizwan looks to dab it to third man but the ball is too close to play the shot. Rizwan couches a bit but ends up getting an inside edge and the ball hits the off stump. |
| 4.5 : Blessing Muzarabani to Iftikhar Ahmed, Outside off, Ahmed leaves it alone. |
| 4.6 : Blessing Muzarabani to Iftikhar Ahmed, Length and on off. Defended out. |
| 5.2 : Brad Evans to Shan Masood, On the pads, Masood looks to flick but misses. This hits the pad and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye taken. |
| 5.1 : Brad Evans to Shan Masood, That is a top stop! Fuller and on middle, Masood strokes it to the right of the bowler who dives and stops it. |
| 5.3 : Brad Evans to Iftikhar Ahmed, That is well fielded! Length and around off, this one shapes away. Iftikhar Ahmed guides it to point. |
| 5.4 : Brad Evans to Iftikhar Ahmed, Length and on middle, Iftikhar Ahmed pushes it towards mid on. Another dot. |
| 5.5 : Brad Evans to Iftikhar Ahmed, FOUR! That was not good from Wesley Madhevere! He should have been a lot more aware there. Nevertheless, a welcome boundary for Pakistan. This is shorter and on middle, it is pulled past the mid on fielder. Luke Jongwe runs after it, dives and stops it. He pushes the rope behind. Wesley Madhevere picks the ball up but steps on where the ropes originally would have been. They go upstairs to check and it is a boundary. He could have avoided that but might have fo |
| 5.6 : Brad Evans to Iftikhar Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed misses out! A dot to end the 6th. A really good effort with the ball by Zimbabwe in the Powerplay! This is short and outside off, it is cut but to point. |
| 6.1 : Sikandar Raza to Shan Masood, Tosses it up on middle, this is pushed down to long on for one. |
| 6.2 : Sikandar Raza to Iftikhar Ahmed, On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one. |
| 6.3 : Sikandar Raza to Shan Masood, Flatter and on middle, a little bit of turn. It is played back to the bowler. |
| 6.4 : Sikandar Raza to Shan Masood, Angled into the pads, Masood works it through mid-wicket for one. |
| 6.5 : Sikandar Raza to Iftikhar Ahmed, Another dot! Tossed up on off, this is pushed back to the bowler. |
| 6.6 : Sikandar Raza to Iftikhar Ahmed, An appeal by the keeper but not sure why! On the pads, Iftikhar Ahmed looks to sweep, it goes off the top edge but lands short of the fielder at short fine leg. Another dot to end. Just the three from this over. |
| 7.1 : Luke Jongwe to Shan Masood, FOUR! Innovation comes out and it brings about a much-needed boundary! Masood plays the paddle scoop, this is on a length and around middle, he looks to scoop it over short fine leg but drags it towards the third man fence. Good start to the over. |
| 7.2 : Luke Jongwe to Shan Masood, Good backing up! On off, this is pushed to cover. Iftikhar Ahmed takes off. He is sent back. The fielder has a shy to the bowler's end but misses. The fielder behind slides and backs up well. |
| 7.3 : Luke Jongwe to Shan Masood, A short ball on off, Masood is early in the pull, it goes off the toe-end towards mid off for one. |
| 7.5 : Luke Jongwe to Shadab Khan, Angled into the pads, this is nudged around the corner for one. |
| 7.6 : Luke Jongwe to Shan Masood, FOUR! Deft touch! Nicely played in the end! Length and around off, Masood waits and then guides it past the diving keeper and into the third man fence. A boundary to begin the over and one to end it. Still a wicket in it. |
| 7.4 : Luke Jongwe to Iftikhar Ahmed, OUT! TAKEN! Iftikhar Ahmed is strangled down the leg side and Pakistan are in trouble here! He struggled for most parts of his innings and now walks back. This is on the pads, Iftikhar Ahmed looks to work it towards fine leg. This goes off the glove and it is taken nicely by the keeper. Game on, game well and truly on here. 95 needed in 74. |
| 8.1 : Sikandar Raza to Shadab Khan, On off, this is pushed down to long off for one. |
| 8.2 : Sikandar Raza to Shan Masood, Flatter and on middle, Masood pushes it to covers. |
| 8.3 : Sikandar Raza to Shan Masood, FOUR! That is a poor ball and it is put away! On the pads, fired on the pads, Masood just had to get bat on ball, he does and he beats short fine leg for a boundary. |
| 8.4 : Sikandar Raza to Shan Masood, Nearly! Nearly chops it on! Shorter and just outside off, not enough room to cut, Masood goes for it but is beaten. Lucky he did not chop it on. |
| 8.5 : Sikandar Raza to Shan Masood, Two is the call and two is what they get! On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket. Two is taken. |
| 8.6 : Sikandar Raza to Shan Masood, A single to end a good over for Pakistan! On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one. |
| 9.1 : Sean Williams to Shan Masood, Flatter and on off, Masood guides it towards point for a quick run. |
| 9.2 : Sean Williams to Shadab Khan, On middle, this is worked throughg mid-wicket for one. |
| 9.3 : Sean Williams to Shan Masood, Shorter and on the pads, this is worked through square leg for another single. |
| 9.4 : Sean Williams to Shadab Khan, Shorter and outside off, this is slapped through covers for one. |
| 9.5 : Sean Williams to Shan Masood, Yet another one! On middle, this is clipped through mid-wicket for one. |
| 9.6 : Sean Williams to Shadab Khan, Varies his pace nicely! Fires this into the pads. Khan works it to mid-wicket. A dot to end. Another tidy over. |
| 10.1 : Ryan Burl to Shan Masood, Flatter and outside off. Masood punches it to point for one. |
| 10.2 : Ryan Burl to Shadab Khan, On middle, this is hit to mid-wicket. Burl runs across and has a shy at his end but Khan was well in with a dive. |
| 10.4 : Ryan Burl to Shan Masood, A single as this is hit to deep cover. |
| 10.3 : Ryan Burl to Shan Masood, Outside off, flat. Masood slaps it to deep cover. A good throw was needed. The batters take two with ease. |
| 10.5 : Ryan Burl to Shadab Khan, Touch short and on the pads. Khan sweeps it to square leg for one. |
| 10.6 : Ryan Burl to Shan Masood, On middle, flicked to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 11.1 : Sean Williams to Shan Masood, THREE RUNS! Pierces the gap! Short and outside off. Masood cuts it through bakward point and Blessing Muzarabani does well to save a single. |
| 11.2 : Sean Williams to Shadab Khan, On middle, this is hit to long on for one. |
| 11.3 : Sean Williams to Shan Masood, Wide! Way outside off. Masood leaves it alone. |
| Sean Williams to Shan Masood, Full and on middle. Masood flicks it to deep mid-wicket and settles with a single. |
| 11.4 : Sean Williams to Shadab Khan, Flatter and outside off. Khan punches it to cover for a single. |
| 11.5 : Sean Williams to Shan Masood, Two more! Masood is hitting through the gaps! This is outside off, it's guided through point for two. |
| 11.6 : Sean Williams to Shan Masood, Tossed up on middle, Masood clips it to mid-wicket for one. 10 runs off the over. 60 runs needed in 48 balls. |
| 12.1 : Blessing Muzarabani to Shan Masood, Masood calls for two and gets two! Length and outside off. Masood drives it to deep cover. |
| 12.2 : Blessing Muzarabani to Shan Masood, A slower ball, full and outside off. Masood guides it to point for a single. Khan wanted another run but settles for one. |
| 12.3 : Blessing Muzarabani to Shadab Khan, Length and on middle. Khan is a bit late as he defends. It rolls on the leg side for a quick single. |
| 12.4 : Blessing Muzarabani to Shan Masood, A length ball, outside off. Masood slaps it through covers for a single. |
| 12.5 : Blessing Muzarabani to Shadab Khan, Two leg byes! Short and on the hips. Khan tucks it to square leg and calls for two. The second was risky but the batters make it. |
| 13.1 : Sikandar Raza to Shan Masood, Fuller ball, outside off. Masood looks to drive but gets an inside edge wide of off stump. |
| 13.2 : Sikandar Raza to Shan Masood, A single as this is hit to long off. |
| 13.3 : Sikandar Raza to Shadab Khan, Wide! Down the leg side. Khan misses his flick. The keeper was interested for a while but no support from others. |
| Sikandar Raza to Shadab Khan, SIX! JUST OVER! Much needed! Tossed up on middle. Khan launches it over long on for a biggie. The stand moves above 50. |
| 13.4 : Sikandar Raza to Shadab Khan, SIX AND OUT! Raza strikes and Zimbabwe have found the breakthrough! Tossed up again, around off. Khan this time tries to loft over long off but goes more off the outer half of the bat and Sean Williams at long off takes it. 43 runs needed in 38 balls. |
| 13.5 : Sikandar Raza to Haider Ali, OUT! LBW! Two in two for Raza! A potential game changing over! Haider Ali's poor form continues. Raza tosses it up, full, quicker and on middle. Ali leans and looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. A huge appeal and up goes the finger. Haider Ali chats with Masood before taking it upstairs. This looks plumb. No bat and BALL TRACKING SHOWS THREE REDS. Sikandar Raza is pumped up. He is on a Hat-trick. |
| 12.6 : Blessing Muzarabani to Shadab Khan, Two more! Good running by these two! On a length and on middle. Khan drills it to long on. Again hits it in the gap for two. |
| 13.5 : Mohammad Nawaz comes out. |
| 13.6 : Sikandar Raza to Mohammad Nawaz, That was close! Tossed up on middle. Nawaz defends it late and gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 14.1 : Brad Evans to Shan Masood, On a length and on middle from around the wicket. Masood looks to work on the leg side but misses. An appeal for LBW and the finger stays down. Zimbabwe take the review. Brad Evans looks convinced but height might be the issue. No bat there. It is umpire's call on wickets hitting. NOT OUT! |
| 14.2 : Brad Evans to Shan Masood, On middle, eased to long on for a single. |
| 14.5 : Brad Evans to Mohammad Nawaz, On the pads, flicked behind square leg for a single. |
| 14.6 : Brad Evans to Shan Masood, On middle, Masood makes room and punches it to point. The man there misfields and allows a single. 38 runs needed in 30 balls. |
| 14.4 : Brad Evans to Shan Masood, Outside off, pushed through covers for one more. |
| 15.1 : Sikandar Raza to Shan Masood, Flatter and outside off, knocked to point. |
| 15.2 : Sikandar Raza to Mohammad Wasim, On middle. Blocked out. |
| 15.3 : Sikandar Raza to Mohammad Wasim, A single as this is hit to cover. |
| 15.4 : Sikandar Raza to Mohammad Nawaz, FOUR! This is full and outside off. Nawaz leans to push but gets an outside edge to third man for a boundary. |
| 15.5 : Sikandar Raza to Mohammad Nawaz, Outside off, left alone. |
| 15.6 : Sikandar Raza to Mohammad Nawaz, Flatter and outside off. Nawaz punches it to point. Brilliant from Raza. 32 runs needed in 24 balls. Zimbabwe need 4 wickets. |
| 15.2 : Sikandar Raza to Shan Masood, OUT! STUMPED! Masood is out. The set batter goes. Pakistan in all sort of trouble! Full, quicker and down the leg side. Masood misses his flick. The ball goes to Regis Chakabva. Shan Masood loses his balance and his back leg strides out of the crease. Regis Chakabva is quick to remove the bails and the umpire doesn't even have to take it upstairs as Masood is clearly out. |
| 16.1 : Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Wasim, This one takes off! A bouncer, outside off. Wasim looks to push but misses. |
| 16.2 : Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Wasim, This is much closer to the off pole, on the shorter side. Wasim slashes and misses. |
| 16.3 : Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Wasim, An appeal for caught behind but the umpire doesn't move. Zimbabwe take the review. Short ball, around off. Wasim looks to pull but misses. Ultra Edge shows flat line. Not sure what the keeper heard there. |
| 16.4 : Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Wasim, Wide! Short in length and angling way outside off. Wasim flashes and misses. |
| Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Wasim, Length and on off. Wasim drops it to cover for a single. |
| 16.5 : Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Nawaz, Leg bye! Angling on the pads, Nawaz misses his flick and it goes off the pads to fine leg for one. |
| 16.6 : Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Wasim, What an over from Ngarava! Zimbabwe have been just superb with the ball. Short ball, outside off. Wasim swings and misses. 29 runs needed in 18 balls. |
| 17.1 : Blessing Muzarabani to Mohammad Nawaz, On a length and on middle. Nawaz works it to third man for a single. |
| 17.2 : Blessing Muzarabani to Mohammad Wasim, FOUR! Short in length and on middle. Wasim pulls, gets a top edge and it flies behind the keeper for a boundary. Pakistan will take however it come. |
| 17.3 : Blessing Muzarabani to Mohammad Wasim, On a length and on middle, slower ball. Wasim checks his shot and chips it in the air but falls in the vacant mid-wicket region for a single. |
| 17.4 : Blessing Muzarabani to Mohammad Nawaz, A slower bouncer on middle. Nawaz looks to play to third man but misses. Nawaz needs to play a key role from here. |
| 17.5 : Blessing Muzarabani to Mohammad Nawaz, Fuller ball, outside off. Nawaz runs it to third man for one. |
| 17.6 : Blessing Muzarabani to Mohammad Wasim, On a length and around off. Wasim makes room as he looks to slash at it but misses. That was close to the off pole. Pakistan need 22 runs in 12 balls. |
| 18.1 : Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Nawaz, Fuller ball on middle Nawaz whips it to deep square leg for a couple of runs. Nawaz runs hard for the second. |
| 18.2 : Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Nawaz, Uses the pace of the wicket! Bangs a bouncer on middle, it shoots more. Nawaz looks to ramp it over but misses. |
| 18.3 : Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Nawaz, Full and on middle. Nawaz mistimes his loft to mid on, the falls in the vacant region. The fielder from long on runs in and throws to the bowler, Blessing Muzarabani who fumbles to whip the bails off. If that was taken cleanly, Wasim was clearly out. |
| 18.4 : Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Nawaz, SIX! Nawaz keeps the hopes alive! A full toss on the pads. Nawaz whacks it over deep square leg, all the way for a biggie. |
| 18.5 : Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Nawaz, A low full toss on middle. Nawaz flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 18.6 : Richard Ngarava to Mohammad Wasim, Very full and outside off. Wasim shuffles across to heave but misses. Pakistan need 11 runs in the last over. Mohammad Nawaz on the strike. |
| Brad Evans to bowl the final over. |
| 19.1 : Brad Evans to Mohammad Nawaz, Too full and outside off. Nawaz lofts it over covers. The fielder gives a chase, slides and does really well to save a single. The replay shows that is clean. THREE RUNS. 8 runs needed now. |
| 14.3 : Brad Evans to Mohammad Nawaz, Length and angling on middle. Nawaz tickles it to the right of the keeper who dives and gets his gloves on it but fails to catch it cleanly. The umpire gives a run, that will count as a drop. |
| 19.2 : Brad Evans to Mohammad Wasim, FOUR! What a shot! Brad Evans tries the slower ball but bowls in the slot on middle. Wasim thumps it over the bowler's head for a boundary. 4 needed in 4. |
| 19.3 : Brad Evans to Mohammad Wasim, Short in length and outside off. Wasim hammers it back to Evans. It burst through his hands and goes to mid off for a single. 3 runs needed in 3 balls. |
| 19.4 : Brad Evans to Mohammad Nawaz, DOT BALL! Short in length and outside off. Nawaz tries to cut but gets cramped for room. 3 runs needed now in 2 balls. |
| 19.5 : Brad Evans to Mohammad Nawaz, OUT! TAKEN! The game swings in Zimbabwe's favour now. Mohammad Nawaz sits with his head down. What a match this is turning out to be! Short ball, outside off. Nawaz tries to clear the mid off region but toe ends his shot and it goes straight in the hands of Craig Ervine. 3 runs needed in 1 ball. |
| Shaheen Afridi on the strike. |
| 19.6 : What a win! What a win this is! Pakistan, what have you done? Twice in a row, they have lost games they should have won and this loss may have just seen their chances of getting ahead into the tournament dented big time. |
| 3 in 3 is what they needed! Forget that, 131 is what they needed to chase and they have failed to do so. Zimbabwe are on cloud 9, they are elated. What a massive win this is, one that will go down jn history. Zimbabwe are celebrating it with the fans. Absolutely wonderful. |
| What a bowling effort this was from them. Right from the word go, their bowlers made it extremely tough for their batters. Evans, Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava were brilliant with the new ball. Raza was exceptional in the middle overs. Whenever, the game seemed to be slipping away, they managed to grab a wicket. Despite all of it, this was still Pakistan's game to win but it is Zimbabwe who kept their nerve and have emerged victorious. |
| What can be said about Pakistan batting! When you have names like Babar, Rizwan and Masood you have to chase 131 down but yet again they just invited pressure on themselves. They took a cautious approach and went about things slowly. They lost wickets in the process and that always kept Zimbabwe in the hunt. Masood played brilliantly, he held one end up but he fell at the wrong time. Nawaz down the order played really well but when it mattered, he could not provide the goods. Twice in a row, he |
| Earlier in the day, after being asked to field, courtesy Wasim, Rauf and Shadab, Pakistan kept Zimbabwe to a very low score. However, what we thought was an under par score proved to be enough as Zimbabwe fought till the very last ball and won the game by the slightest of margins. |
| ...Presentation coming up... |
| Brad Evans to Shaheen Afridi, OUT! RUN OUT! ZIMBABWE HAVE DONE IT! What a cricket match we had! Absolute scenes at Perth! The Zimbabwe players are jumping on each other. Brad Evans cannot believe what just happened! What a match! Full and on middle, it is pushed to long on. Afridi runs hard but the throw is good enough to the keeper who clips the bails off. The keeper fumbles a bit but had enough time as he caught Shaheen Afridi well short of his crease. ZIMBABWE WIN BY 1 RUN. YES, 1 R |
| Sikandar Raza is the Player of the Match. He says he is lost for words and is proud of these players. Adds it is unbelievable but they kept believing until the end. Ends by saying that he recieved a clip of Ricky Ponting in the morning and that gave him extra motivation. He would like to thank Ricky Ponting for that. |
| Craig Ervine, the skipper of Zimbabwe says it is a special win. They worked hard to get in this round. Says they felt 20-25 runs short at the start but they bowled brilliantly and applauds the performance of Raza. Ends by appreciating the support they are getting. |
| Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan says they should had definitely chased this down but are disappointed as they are not upto the mark with the bat. Adds he and Rizwan have responsibility but they got out. Reckons they need to use the new ball well. Shares that they are looking forward to the next match. |
| That's it from this game! A low-scoring thriller! The World Cup keeps on giving surprises. On 28th October, Afghanistan will take on Ireland at 9.30 am IST (4 am GMT) and later, England will face Australia at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). Do join us for the build up. Cheers! |
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