Pakistan-Zimbabwe 3rd ODI at Lahore washed out due to rain
Pakistan-Zimbabwe 3rd ODI at Lahore washed out due to rain
The third and final One-Day International (ODI) between Pakistan and Zimbabwe at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday was called off due to rain, with Pakistan winning the series 2-0. Chasing 297-run target set by the hosts, Zimbabwe were off to a flying start, reaching 68 for no loss after nine overs, before a heavy spell of rain forced the players and umpires to retreat. Zimbabwe thus remained winless as the tour of Pakistan comes to an end. Full Updates: 3rd ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe
Chamu Chibhabha and Vusi Sibanda were batting on scores of 39 and 28 respectively, with both batsmen having faced 27 deliveries each. At run-rate of over seven per over, the visitors appeared settled and well on their way to chasing the total down, and registering their first win of the marathon tour. Prior to the final spell of rain, the proceedings were interrupted due to lighting problems, as well as a couple of light showers. Scorecard: 3rd ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe
After the resumption of play, the target for Zimbabwe was revised to 281 from 46 overs. Only one over was bowled, before the rain got heavier, forcing the covers on the field once again.
Pakistan had earlier finished on a score of 296 for the loss of nine wickets at the end of their quota of 50 overs. Mohammad Hafeez and skipper Azhar Ali guided the hosts to a strong start, adding 115 runs for the first wicket. Hafeez brought up his 25th ODI fifty during the stand, which came to an end with Ali getting run-out four runs short of a half-century. READ: Pakistan innings report
Pakistan lost a few wickets thereafter to be pushed on the backfoot. Hafeez was trapped leg-before for a score of 80, while Asad Shafiq and Shoaib Malik were removed for scores of 16 and three, with Pakistan collapsing to 158 for four in the 32nd over. Wicketkeeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmed added 37 runs for the fifth wicket with debutant Babar Azam, who later went on to bring up his maiden ODI fifty.
Pakistan went on to add 45 runs in the last five overs, with Anwar Ali smashing two fours and as many sixes to remain unbeaten on 38. Pakistan-born Zimbabwe batsman Sikandar Raza was the pick among the bowlers, taking three wickets for 59 runs.
Pakistan earlier won the toss and elected to bat, bringing in Babar Azam and Junaid Khan in place of Haris Sohail and Mohammad Sami. Zimbabwe too decided to make two changes to their side, drafting in debutant Roy Kaia and Chris Mpofu in place of Brian Vitori and Tawanda Mupariwa.
With the result, Pakistan continue to languish at the ninth position on the ICC ODI rankings behind Bangladesh, with the qualification for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 becoming a tougher prospect now.
Brief scores:
Pakistan 296 for 9 in 50 overs (Mohammad Hafeez 80, Azhar Ali 46, Babar Azam 54, Anwar Ali 38*; Sikandar Raza 3 for 59) vs Zimbabwe 68 for 0 in 9 overs (Chamu Chibhabha 39*, Vusi Sibanda 27*).