Pakistan were six for 208 in 42 overs in their series-opening one-day international (ODI) against Zimbabwe at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
They sent back Abid Ali to the pavilion in the middle of the tenth over after scoring 21 runs. Babar Azam and Imamul Haq scored 19 and 58 runs, respectively. The next casualty was Mohammad Rizwan who fell in the 37th over after scoring a meagre 14.
With six fours and two sixes, Haris Sohail tried to stabilize the team scoring 71 off 82 balls but he fell to Sikandar Raza in the 42nd over. Earlier, captain Babar Azam had won the toss and elected to bat.
Both teams are opening their World Cup Super League campaigns after the International Cricket Council. The top seven teams in the league will directly qualify for the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India. The league features 13 countries playing four home and away three-match ODI series.
Pakistan gave an ODI debut to fast bowler Haris Rauf, who received his cap from bowling coach Waqar Younis before the toss. The home team has packed its playing XI with four fast bowlers, with allrounder Faheem Ashraf getting a nod ahead of uncapped leg-spinner Usman Qadir.
Zimbabwe, led by Chamu Chibhabha, left out experienced batsman Elton Chigumubura for the first match of the three-match series. Fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani returned to ODI format after nearly two years. The Zimbabwe series, which also features three Twenty20 Internationals at the same venue, is the beginning of a busy season for Pakistan who are also slated to host England and South Africa.
Babar’s point of view on ODI matches:
Yesterday, during a pre-series press conference, Babar said the hosts won’t underestimate low-ranked Zimbabwe, against the green shirts have won 52 of the 59 matches in this format.
“Our aim is not only to win the one-day series but also the T20 games [against Zimbabwe] because we want to build confidence for matches against stronger teams which Pakistan will play in the coming months,” Babar said. “But having said that we can’t take Zimbabwe easy and my message to our players to give 110 percent; because we are targeting a whitewash to ensure Pakistan earn maximum points in the Super League. Every match counts since each point matters.”
Chibhabha, meanwhile, admitted that his side is desperately looking to get to winning ways; after failing to qualify for the 2019 World Cup in England. He said Zimbabwe would adopt an aggressive approach in batting; to combat the threat of Pakistan bowlers such as Shaheen Shah Afridi and Wahab Riaz.
“Unless we are able to dominate the [Pakistan] bowling, there is no chance for Zimbabwe to win matches. I promise we are going to play good cricket and are not here just to compete,” Chibhabha vowed. “We have been a side which struggles in finishing matches. But there is more desperation on our part to win and win consistently. And considering these are Super League matches, each game becomes very crucial for both teams.”