Following the unexpected defeat in the first ODI, Pakistan made a strong recovery in the second match and continued their momentum with another dominant performance, ultimately securing the series 2-1. Kamran Ghulam’s impressive innings of 103 runs off 99 balls, bolstered by contributions from his teammates, propelled Pakistan to a total of 303/6 in the third ODI held in Bulawayo on Thursday, November 28. In response, Zimbabwe was dismissed for 204 runs in just 40.1 overs, thanks to a cohesive effort from the Pakistani bowling unit.
Kamran Ghulam's maiden ODI century
Choosing to bat first, Pakistan established a strong foundation with a 58-run opening partnership. Following a cautious start in the initial two overs, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique began to find the boundary consistently during the first powerplay, hitting several boundaries, including a couple of sixes within the first ten overs. However, Ayub’s dismissal came unexpectedly as he was caught by the fielder at deep square leg, granting Faraz Akram a wicket.
Shafique was accompanied by Ghulam as they established a partnership that yielded a half-century, although their strike rate remained below 80. Shafique achieved his fifty in 66 balls before being dismissed leg before wicket by Sikandar Raza. Following this, Ghulam and Mohammad Rizwan formed a partnership that amassed 89 runs from 92 deliveries. Ghulam, who reached his fifty in 59 balls, frequently cleared the boundary, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s scoring rate.
From 132/2 after 30 overs they reached 201 after 40, but Rizwan got out to Raza after a miscue to long-on. Ghulam achieved his first One Day International century before being dismissed by Richard Ngarava. Nevertheless, this dismissal provided only a brief reprieve for Zimbabwe, as Pakistan’s batsmen excelled in the final ten overs, accumulating 102 runs. Significant contributions from Salman Agha (30 runs off 26 balls) and Tayyab Tahir (29 not out off 16 balls) enabled Pakistan to amass 69 runs in the last five overs, with 23 of those runs scored in the 46th over bowled by Akram.
Zimbabwe's unsuccessful attempt at chasing the target
Zimbabwe encountered initial difficulties in their pursuit as Ayub claimed the wickets of Joylord Gumbie and Dion Myers during the third over. Gumbie was unable to control his pull shot, while Myers directed his sweep directly to deep backward square. In an effort to stabilize the innings, Craig Ervine and Tadiwanashe Marumani formed a quick partnership, adding 39 runs.
An otherwise harmless delivery resulted in a wicket when Marumani, attempting an early pull against Abrar Ahmed, was dismissed lbw. Ervine was then accompanied by Sean Williams as Zimbabwe sought to establish a partnership; however, their collaboration of 41 runs concluded when Williams inadvertently deflected a delivery from Haris Rauf onto the stumps, leaving the home team at 90/4 in the 18th over.
Zimbabwe placed their expectations on Ervine and Raza to steer the team back to a competitive position. However, after a partnership of 33 runs, both players were dismissed by Aamer Jamal in rapid succession, leaving the hosts at 130/6 by the 28th over. In response, Brian Bennett launched a counter-offensive, scoring a brisk 37 runs before becoming Abrar’s second victim, with Akram following him shortly thereafter. Despite the challenges, Zimbabwe’s lower order displayed resilience, as Ngarava and Clive Madande prolonged the innings for a time before the visitors concluded the match in the 41st over.
SCORECARD: Pakistan 303/6 in 50 overs (Kamran Ghulam 103, Abdullah Shafique 50; Sikandar Raza 2-47) beat Zimbabwe 204 in 40.1 overs (Craig Ervine 51, Brian Bennett 37; Aamer Jamal 2-19) by 99 runs.
