Bulawayo Bulawayo: Zimbabwe stunned Pakistan in the ODI series opener with a thumping 80-run win under the Duckworth-Lewis rule at the Queen's Sports Club on Sunday. Pakistan, which recently won its first ODI series in 22 years in Australia, unexpectedly lost badly against Zimbabwe. The momentum Pakistan had achieved against Australia in the 50-over format faded on a largely quiet surface in Zimbabwe. After winning the toss, the visiting team put Zimbabwe in to bat and the host team got off to a good start. Joylord Gambi and Tadivanashe Marumani made a partnership of 40 runs, but Agha Salman came in and took away the momentum. After Gambi (15) was run out by Abdullah Shafiq caught short, Agha Salman took three consecutive wickets, reducing Zimbabwe's score to 83/4. Sean Williams (23), Sikandar Raza (39) and Brian Bennett (20) made important contributions, followed by Richard Ngarawa's 48-run knock, taking Zimbabwe's score to 205.
In reply, Pakistan had a poor start, with openers Sam Ayub (11) and Shafiq (1) being dismissed by Blessing Muzaraban in the first five overs. Williams added to Pakistan's problems when Kamran Ghulam (17) tried to cut, but the ball went into the hands of Marumani. Captain Mohammad Rizwan tried to raise the morale along with Agha Salman at the other end. Zimbabwe fielded their experienced spinner Raza, who immediately took advantage.
With a full-length delivery, he hit the ball on Salman's front pad and then dismissed debutant Hasibullah Khan, taking Pakistan's score to 49/5. Rizwan stood out at the other end, while Irfan Khan was dismissed by Williams, leaving Pakistan's score at 58/6. Pakistan were looking bad at 60/6, and then rain made the result even worse.
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