Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Brandon Moyo, brandonmalvin9@gmail.com
THE Chevrons produced yet another dismal performance as they suffered a 99-run defeat against Pakistan in the third and final One Day International (ODI) at Queens Sports Club yesterday.
Zimbabwe were outplayed by the visitors with both bat and ball, as the latter secured yet another overseas victory, coming from one nil down to win 2-1. Pakistan have now achieved back-to-back 2-1 victories overseas, having beaten Australia a fortnight ago and the Chevrons yesterday.
In yesterday’s decider, the visitors won the toss and elected to bat first, going on to score a massive 303/6 in their 50 overs. Tasked with chasing a mammoth target of 304, the Chevrons could only manage 204 runs, as they were bowled out in 40.1 overs, thus losing the series.
Chevrons head coach, Justin Sammons, who was in charge of his first series as Zimbabwe’s national team gaffer, said they were out-skilled by their opponents. Sammons added that the batters need to reflect on their performance after a disappointing series.
“This is our first look at an ODI series, but it wasn’t through lack of effort. The effort was there but, obviously, there was a lack of skill at the end of the day. I think tactically we got it a bit wrong in terms of bowling options, especially with our fifth bowler. From a skill point of view, we were out-skilled. We have to go back and keep working to up-skill ourselves and improve.
“But, ultimately, it comes down to the batters for me in the series. They need to go back, look at themselves in the mirror, be honest in terms of their reflections, and find ways to come back better,” said Sammons.
Pakistan’s opening batters, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, notched up a half-century stand for the first wicket before the former was caught for 31 runs off 37 balls.
After the first wicket fell, Kamran Ghulam walked in and produced a stellar performance that saw him bring up his career-best score. Ghulam scored a brilliant 103 runs off 99 deliveries, his maiden ODI ton, having gone into the game with a best score of 17. Shafique chipped in with 50 runs off 68 balls. Three other visitors fell in the 30s: Ayub made 31 runs from 37 balls, while captain Mohammad Rizwan fell for 37 runs off 47 balls, and Salman Agha chipped in with 30 runs from 26 deliveries.
Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava picked up two wickets apiece for the Chevrons. Raza finished with figures of 2/47 in his 10-over spell, while Ngarava had figures of 2/55, also in 10 overs. Blessing Muzarabani and Faraz Akram picked up one scalp apiece for the hosts, as Pakistan set them a mammoth total to chase.
Zimbabwe’s struggles with the bat continued in this game, as they lost wickets at regular intervals. The hosts lost their first two wickets as early as the third over, with Joylord Gumbie and Dion Myers falling within four balls of each other. The wickets left Zimbabwe reeling at 10/2 after 2,5 overs, before Craig Ervine and Tadiwanashe Marumani put on a 39-run stand for the third wicket. Marumani would go on to fall in the ninth over for 24 runs off 30 balls.
Skipper Ervine top-scored for Zimbabwe with 51 runs from 63 balls, while young sensation Brian Bennett contributed 37 runs from 27 deliveries. Sean Williams also scored 24 runs from 29 balls, while Clive Madande, playing his first game of the series, added 20 runs from 32 balls. Ngarava and Raza made 17 and 16 runs, respectively.
Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Harris Rauf, and Aamer Jamal each took two wickets for Pakistan, while Faisal Akram and Ghulam claimed one apiece.
With the ODI series now concluded, the T20I series is up next, starting on Sunday. The match on Sunday is scheduled to begin at 1pm. – @brandon_malvin
