Zimbabwe find a new low against Pakistan

Zimbabwe’s 67 in the third ODI was the second lowest total any side has slumped to against Pakistan in ODIs.
Pakistan were simply a lot better than Zimbabwe in every department and the hosts look desperately out of their league without their star players.
Faheem Ashraf did the bulk of the damage, taking advantage of the opportunity offered by Hassan Ali being rested to claim his maiden ODI five-for.
Ashraf moved the ball both ways and at pace which ensured slight misjudgements were punished.
Top scorer with 16 Chamu Chibhabha and skipper Hamilton Masakadza were perhaps the most guilty of throwing their wickets away but the majority of the home side’s batsmen at least got out to good deliveries.
Blessing Mazurabani continued to flicker as the lone ember of hope in an otherwise bleak scenario, he faced more balls than all but one of the top eight having come out to bat at No.10 within 20 overs of the innings’ start and looked accurate with the ball taking the only wicket with a vicious bouncer.
The nine wicket win seals the series for Pakistan though it was in little doubt since the first match when the gulf in class was clearly demonstrated.
Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed was thrilled with the effort of his men: “It was a pleasing performance from the boys. Especially, Faheem and Junaid. Credit goes to my bowlers, they bowled really well. Faheem Ashraf is getting better day by day, he can bat also. We will give more opportunities to the other players in the two games and will hope for the best.”
Zimbabwe skipper Masakadza didn’t mince his words in assessing the performance: “A straight on disaster. Will just tell the guys to bounce back, try at least. It is never easy to get back from something like that but will ask them to focus. We needed to get a bit more application from the boys today. There is a lot of work to be done, really. We will come back firing, and hopefully, put up a score for the bowlers to defend.”
Latest
-
News
Matt Henry and Ben Green help Somerset keep perfect record
Umpire Sue Redfern wrote her name into the history books when she became the first female to officiate on-field in a Blast fixture.
-
News
Umpire Sue Redfern makes Blast history as Gloucestershire brush aside Middlesex
Redfern is the first female umpire to officiate on-field in a Vitality Blast fixture.
-
News
Joe Root cannot wait to perform in Ashes without burden of captaincy
Root has skippered England in the past three Ashes series, but hit 460 runs without the captaincy in 2015.
-
News
Huge blow for England with spinner Jack Leach ruled out of Ashes
Leach experienced low back symptoms during England’s win over Ireland at Lord’s.
-
News
Josh Hazlewood set to be fit for Ashes despite missing Test Championship final
The 32-year-old has been managing an Achilles issue as well as a side injury in recent months.
-
News
Josh Tongue impresses and Ben Duckett shows pedigree – 5 England things
Ben Stokes’ side beat Ireland inside three days but Australia will provide a much sterner test.
-
England
Ben Stokes plays down fitness fears after not batting or bowling against Ireland
England won by 10 wickets after being set 11 for victory.
-
England
Josh Tongue claims five on debut as England beat battling Ireland by 10 wickets
England made it 11 wins in 13 Tests under Ben Stokes’ and Brendon McCullum but endured a frustrating day at Lord’s.
-
England
Resistance of Ireland tail-enders ensures England must bat again at Lord’s
Debutant Josh Tongue claimed a five-wicket haul but Mark Adair and Andy McBrine hit fifties for dogged Ireland.
-
Ireland
Harry Tector half-century helps Ireland hold up England victory charge at Lord’s
Josh Tongue, Jack Leach and Joe Root claimed wickets but Ireland made it through until lunch on day three.