Talking points from Zimbabwe’s victory over Pakistan

History was created today as hosts Zimbabwe were successful in defeating the Pakistanis in what was a rather close game which ended in a controversial way as play was suspended 2 overs before the actual end as Pakistan required 21 runs. Zimbabwe defeated Pakistan by 5 runs(D/L) after two years. Here are the four talking points from the historic win.

1) Zimbabwe batted like champions

Zimbabwe fans were dying to see this kind of batting performance from their team. Most of the matches against the big teams that they have come close to winning have been lost because their batsman were disappointing. But they completely turned the tables this time around. An excellent second wicket partnership of 91 between Chamu Chibhabha and Brian Chari compensated for the early loss of Hamilton Mazakadza. With Sean Williams getting out early trying to up the ante, it came all down to the Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura who took the Pakistani bowlers apart and was given due support by Chibhabha at the other end. A 123 run partnership between the two guided their team to a formidable 276.

2) Pakistan batsman failed to impress

Chasing 276, everybody expected Pakistan to chase it down comfortably considering the fact that their batsman are in form. But some excellent bowling from hosts and poor shot selection from the visitors saw them reeling at 76 for 6. If Shoaib Malik and Aamer Yamin hadn’t batted as well as they did, Pakistan would have been suffering a lot of criticism about losing by a large margin. Both the openers were back in the pavilion with just 8 runs on the board. Pakistan need to click as a batting unit if they have to win the next ODI.

3) Excellent new ball bowling by Zimbabwe

Tinashe Panyangara and Luke Jongwe capitalized on the good batting performance and picked up quick wickets to never let Pakistan in the game. Panyangara removed both the openers with just 8 runs on the board. He bowled some tight lines and probing lengths and is slowly becoming a lethal weapon for the hosts. Jongwe complemented him fully and took the wicket of Asad Shafiq. Zimbabwe kept it tight in the initial overs of the second innings which tilted the match towards them.

4) Was D/L method really required?

The disappointed look on the faces of the Pakistanis when Zimbabwe emerged victorious on the basis of D/L method was definitely understandable. They were so close but yet so far. As there were no floodlights on the ground, umpires relied on the conditions and hoped that the match would be completed before it gets dark. The rain during the second innings delayed proceedings. At the end, with only 2 overs left Pakistan required 21 runs to seal the series and looking at their miraculous recovery they would have hoped of going over the line. But umpires thought it was unsafe as the conditions had got dark and suspended play, but with the sun going down, things only got worse. Pakistan were 5 runs behind the actual D/L par score and hence lost the match as the play was called off.