Pakistan won the 1^st Test against Zimbabwe by an innings and 116 runs, at the Harare Sports Club, Harare, today.

 

Match Summary

Zimbabwe vs Pakistan, 1st Test, Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe 176/10 (59.1 ov) & 134/9 (46.2 ov)

Pakistan 426/10 (133 ov)

Result – Pakistan won by an innings and 116 runs

Scorecard

 

Pakistan bowl Zimbabwe out for 134 to register a win in the first Test by an innings and 116 runs.

They go 1-0 up in the two-Test series.

?? @ZimCricketv | #ZIMvPAK | https://t.co/paIhJJp36Z pic.twitter.com/hjUkrE6iQW

— ICC (@ICC) May 1, 2021

Match Report – Salim Parvez

Hasan Ali stars in Pakistan’s Test victory

 

A crushing Test defeat against Pakistan, within three days, is not good news for Zimbabwe. A career-best 5-36 by Hasan Ali simply tore through their depleted line-up, bowled out for 134 in their second innings, to lose by an innings and 116 runs at Harare Sports Club.

Fawad Alam, overnight centurion was still focused on his job, as he took two boundaries to get going on the third morning. Unorthodox but highly effective, it is a shame that he was absent for 88 Tests played by Pakistan in the 2009-20 period. The way he has batted on his comeback, he could serve the team for another 3-4 years. His partner Hasan, ever so eager to put ball to bat, eclipsed his previous Test best contributing 30 off 26 balls in a 7^th wicket stand worth 61 with Fawad and Pakistan’s overall lead was 219.

The back-to-back dismissal of Hasan and Nauman Ali, through Blessing Muzarabani’s perfect line on the off stump, was much needed from Zimbabwe’s point of view. Taking guard on a hat-trick on his debut, Sajid Khan was off the mark with an on-drive for three and didn’t need to be shielded from the bowling. Muzarabani had Fawad caught behind whilst pulling a delivery from the off side. He was the last man out for 140 (203 balls, 20 fours) as Pakistan were finally bowled out for 426 – with an exact first-innings lead of 250.

A hand injury to opening batsman, Prince Masvaure, inflicted whilst fielding at short-leg on the second day, prompted a change of batting order when Zimbabwe came in for their second innings, an hour or so before lunch. The opening pair of Kevin Kasuza (28) and Tarisai Musakanda (43), provided a steady start of 48 runs in 15 overs. A poor judgement of run cost Musakanda his wicket and sparked a batting collapse. Zimbabwe crashed from 92-2 to 134-9 (with one man absent hurt) in 14 overs.

After taking a superb catch, running back at long-off, Hasan showed how good a form he is in. Moving the ball at good pace, he only once needed a fielder’s assistance, on his way to claiming five wickets plus reaching a milestone of 50 wickets in his 12^th Test. He was a straight forward choice for the Player of the Match and smilingly dedicated the success to his baby daughter, born few months ago.

The absence of key players – Sean Williams, Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza – really hurt Zimbabwe and they failed to be competitive in the opening Test of the series at Harare Sport Club. That leaves plenty to ponder for the home side after today’s defeat. The two extra days handed by a quick finish, should be used by the management to good effect if they aim to level the series in the second Test starting on May 7, at the same venue.

Match Day Highlights

Pakistan was finally bowled out on day three of the 1^st Test for 426/10 (133 ov). Blessing Muzarabani 4-73 and Donald Tiripano 3-89 were the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe.

Pakistan Fall of wickets: 1-115 (Abid Ali - 44.2 ov), 2-176 (Azhar Ali - 63.6 ov), 3-182 (Babar Azam - 65.1 ov), 4-226 (Imran Butt - 82.1 ov), 5-333 (Mohammad Rizwan - 112.5 ov), 6-334 (Faheem Ashraf - 113.6 ov), 7-395 (Hasan Ali - 124.2 ov), 8-395 (Nauman Ali - 124.3 ov), 9-412 (Sajid Khan - 129.3 ov), 10-426 (Fawad Alam - 132.6 ov)

In their 2^nd Innings Zimbabwe struggled with the bat and were bowled out for 134/9, with Prince Masvaure unable to bat.

Fall of wickets: 1-48 (Kevin Kasuza - 14.6 ov), 2-68 (Milton Shumba - 22.6 ov), 3-92 (Tarisai Musakanda - 28.3 ov), 4-95 (Roy Kaia - 29.5 ov), 5-117 (Brendan Taylor - 36.1 ov), 6-124 (Donald Tiripano - 40.2 ov), 7-124 (Tendai Chisoro - 40.4 ov), 8-128 (Blessing Muzarabani - 42.3 ov), 9-134 (Richard Ngarava - 46.2 ov)

Playing XIs

Zimbabwe - Prince Masvaure, Kevin Kasuza, Tarisai Musakanda, Brendan Taylor(c), Milton Shumba, Roy Kaia, Regis Chakabva(wk), Donald Tiripano, Tendai Chisoro, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava

Pakistan - Imran Butt, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam(c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Faheem Ashraf, Nauman Ali, Hassan Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Afridi

Match Details

Start Time: 08:30

Toss: Zimbabwe won the toss and decided to bat

Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare

Officials: Langton Rusere, Marais Erasmus, Iknow Chabi, Christopher Phiri, Andrew Pycroft

 

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