Pakistan Ease To Crushing 104-Run Win Over Zimbabwe
Nasir Jamshed (right) plays a shot during his whirlwind innings of 61.
©REUTERS/Zahid Hussein (PAKISTAN) Picture Supplied by Action Images
Kamran Akmal (right) appeals after stumping Brendon Taylor.
©REUTERS/Zahid Hussein (PAKISTAN) Picture Supplied by Action Images
347-5 (Younus Khan 79, Mohd. Yousuf 72)
Zimbabwe 243-7 (Sibanda 59, Williams 52no)
Scorecard
Pakistan won by 104 runs and lead the five-match series 1-0
Five batsmen hit half-centuries as Pakistan, led by 61 from debutant Nasir Jamshed, thrashed Zimbabwe by 104 runs in the first one-day international in Karachi.
Zimbabwe made a bright start to their pursuit of 348 to win before Pakistan took wickets at regular intervals to reel them in.
There were combative half-centuries from Vusi Sibanda (59) and Chamu Chibhabha (52) before Afridi struck a double blow in removing Chibhabha and Tatenda Taibu for 13. Brendon Taylor then went for two to leave Zimbabwe well behind the asking rate.
Sean Williams took advantage of part-time bowlers Younus Khan and Misbah-ul Haq to end unbeaten on 52 but by the time he got to the crease the game was long gone.
Half-centuries from debutant Nasir Jamshed, Younus Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik and Misbah-ul-Haq helped Pakistan post an imposing score of 347 for five.
Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field but were quickly put to the sword by Jamshed, who smashed 61 from 48 balls with six fours and three sixes. Fellow opener Salman Butt (four) fell with the score on 45 before Younus added 40 with the impressive Jamshed.
When Jamshed fell, Younus added 113 with Mohammad Yousuf to set Pakistan up perfectly for a final charge in the closing overs. That was provided by Shoaib Malik (63 from 56 balls) and Misbah-ul-Haq (55 not out from 38 balls).
Younus' knock of 79 came from 68 balls and included seven fours and one six while Yousuf hit 72 from 74 balls. There were two wickets apiece for Chibhabha and Ray Price as Zimbabwe's bowlers struggled to contain the Pakistan batsmen.
Pakistan also handed a debut to Samiullah Khan.
© Cricket World 2008
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