Pakistan spin web to book Zimbabwe on 205 in first ODI

Debutant Faisal Akram Shines as Pakistan Restricts Zimbabwe to 205 in First ODI

Debutant Faisal Akram and Salman Ali Agha starred with the ball, taking three wickets each to bowl Zimbabwe out for a modest 205 in the first ODI at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, on Sunday. The home side’s innings ended in the 41st over after opting to bat first.

Zimbabwe started strong with openers Joylord Gumbie and Tadiwanashe Marumani putting on 40 runs in the first six overs. However, their partnership ended in disappointment when Gumbie was run out after a mix-up. He scored 15 off 17 balls, including three boundaries.

Marumani kept Zimbabwe’s momentum alive briefly, building small partnerships with Dion Myers, Craig Ervine, and Sean Williams. He scored 29 off 41 balls, hitting two fours and a six, before falling in the 16th over. His dismissal triggered a middle-order collapse, leaving Zimbabwe struggling at 125/7 by the 26th over.

Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava then staged a crucial recovery with a resilient 62-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Raza scored a solid 39 off 56 balls, including six boundaries, before Faisal Akram claimed his wicket in the 38th over. Faisal quickly added another scalp, dismissing Blessing Muzarabani for a duck.

Ngarava, Zimbabwe’s top-scorer, fought valiantly with an unbeaten 48 off 52 balls, including six fours and a six. His efforts, along with a small contribution from Trevor Gwandu (3 not out), pushed Zimbabwe past 200.

For Pakistan, Faisal Akram and Salman Ali Agha led the bowling attack with three wickets each. Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, and Aamir Jamal chipped in with one wicket apiece, ensuring Zimbabwe’s total remained within reach.