Pakistan hosted Zimbabwe in the first game of the three-match ODI series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday (October 30).

Opting to bat first, Pakistan posted 281/8 in 50 overs. Haris Sohail was the top-scorer for the hosts with 82-ball 71. Imam-ul-Haq (58 off 75 balls) and Imad Wasim (34* off 26 balls) also made notable contributions with the bat.

For Zimbabwe, Blessing Muzarabani (2-39) and Tendai Chisoro (2-31) claimed two scalps each while Sikandar Raza (1-45) and Carl Mumba (1-69) chipped in with wicket apiece.

Defending the total, Pakistan bundled out the visitors for 255 in 49.4 overs on the back of Shaheen Afridi’s fifer (5-49) and Wahab Riaz’s four-wicket haul (4-41). While Shaheen wreaked havoc on Zimbabwe’s top-order, Riaz ran through the middle-order.

Brendan Taylor (112 off 117 balls) was the lone warrior for Zimbabwe in the chase. Although  Taylor got support from Wesley Madhevere (55 off 61 balls), it was not enough for the tourists to cross the finishing line.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan – 281/8 in 50 overs (Haris Sohail 71; Blessing Muzarabani 2-39) defeated Zimbabwe – 255 in 49.4 overs (Brendan Taylor 112; Shaheen Afridi 5-49) by 26 runs.