Arithmetically Pakistan needed a point from this match to make sure they qualify for the quarter finals even before their last group match against Australia. They won the rain shortened match without any hiccups riding on Umar Gul’s strikes and Asad Shafiq’s solid and stroke-full batting.
Pakistan rested Shoaib Akhtar in favor of Wahab Riaz while Umar Akmal’s aching finger allowed Asad Shafiq to play his first World Cup match. For Zimbabwe, Shingirai Masakadza replaced Mpofu while Vusi Sibanda came in for the injured Sean Williams. Under overcast conditions and with warnings of showers during the evening, Elton Chigumbura surprisingly opted to bat first after winning the toss.
Pakistan seamers used the condition expertly making the new ball talk from the word go. Abdul Razzaq got Brendan Taylor, Zimbabwe’s best batsman, caught behind in the very first over. Umar Gul nipped out the other opener, Regis Chakabva, in the next over. Vusi Sibanda too did not last long as he was caught brilliantly by Misbah in slips to make it 13 for 3 for Zimbabwe in the 6th over.
Tatenda Taibu and Craig Ervine rebuilt the innings somewhat by associating for 30-run partnership. Ervine had a life when Misbah dropped him in the second slip on the bowling of Abdur Razzaq. Solid looking Taibu was removed by Wahab Riaz and Zimbabwe labored to 50 after 15 overs.
They continued to meander along slowly as Pakistan spinners applied a tight noose on the scoring. Greg Lamb, deprived off free-scoring opportunities, tried to take liberty against Afridi but misread a googly and gave him a return catch. At 93 for 5 after 27 overs, rain halted the play. The match was reduced to 43 overs a side when play resumed after a delay of one and half hours. Ervine brought up his fifty and team hundred with a couple but his resistance was ended by a straighter one from Hafeez. He held the innings together making 52 runs (82 balls, 5 fours) in the process.
Captain Chigumbura put on vital 48 runs with Prosper Utseya for the 7th wicket. They made sure they had a reasonable target to defend. Utseya became second victim for Kamran Akmal who took a running catch off the bowling of Gul. Chigumbura remained not out on 32 when rain came again ending the Zimbabwean innings prematurely in the 40th over. They made 151 for 7 and Pakistan needed 162 in 38 overs according to D/L method. Umar Gul took 3 for 36.
Pakistan’s opening woes continued as talented but temperamental Ahmed Shehzad was stumped off Ray Price when he needlessly came out of the crease for an expansive loft. Asad Shafiq came to the crease and intelligently looked to ply out the new ball which was moving appreciably. Stylish but less classy than his compatriots, Mohammad Hafeez played some eye-catching pulls and drives. Both put on 82 runs for the second wicket and almost shut the door for Zimbabwe. Hafeez could not complete a well-deserved 50 when he was taken in first slip off Utseya for 49 (65 balls, 6 fours).
Afridi decided to promote himself probably thinking of getting some time in the middle and also improving the net run rate. But he was clean-bowled by a euphoric Price for just 3 creating some uneasiness in Pakistan’s dressing room. Younis Khan joined Shafiq who was now playing fluently exhibiting his array of strokes. Shafiq brought up his second ODI 50, becoming the eighth man to make 50 in his first WC match for Pakistan.
He hit the winning four on the first ball of 35th over to remain not out on a shining 78 on 97 balls with 7 fours. Pakistan won convincingly by 7 wickets and booked their place in the quarter-finals. Ray Price was the pick of bowlers with 2 for 21 in his 8 overs. Umar Gul was named the Man of the Match as he was the chief destroyer for Pakistan.
Lack-luster Zimbabwe are out of the race now but Pakistan still has another item on their agenda. That is to win against Australia and secure top position in the group. Will Pakistan be the team to end Australia’s remarkable unbeaten run in the World Cups? Remember they were the team who beat them last in 1999 WC. Come 19 March and the question will be answered.
Match Result: Pakistan 164/3 in 34.1 overs (Asad 78*, Hafeez 49; Price 2/21) beat Zimbabwe 151/7 in 39.4 overs (Ervine 52; Gul 3/36, Hafeez 1/11) by 7 wickets
Man of the Match: Umar Gul
Published in SportPulse.net
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