First ODI: Even rain could not save Pakistan from defeat against Zimbabwe Trending Global News

After defeating Australia in the ODI series at home in the past few days, Pakistan lost the first ODI by 80 runs to 13th-ranked Zimbabwe on Sunday.

The first ODI played in Bulawayo, however, could not be completed due to rain. However, when the rain started, Pakistan had lost six wickets for 60 runs in response to the target of 206 runs given by Zimbabwe and the defeat seemed obvious.

Today, Pakistan debuted three young players Amir Jamal, Haseebullah Khan and Faisal Akram in the ODI format. Zimbabwe also gave their three new players a chance.

Pakistan captain Muhammad Rizwan won the toss and invited Zimbabwe to bat first.

Zimbabwe’s batting was initially aggressive. Openers Gumbe and Marumani started with 40 runs. However, after that, the Pakistani bowlers bowled well and took the first five wickets of Zimbabwe for 99 runs.

Haris Rauf and Salman Ali Agha bowled well. It looked like Zimbabwe would be bowled out for a very low score, but then Shane Williams, Sikandar Raza and fast bowler Ngarwa batted well to take the score to 205.

Nigarwa could not complete his maiden half-century, but his 48 runs proved invaluable. Sikandar Raza scored 39 runs.

Opener Saeem Ayub (11 runs) and Abdullah Shafiq (one run) were out early. Kamran Ghulam was also dismissed for 17 runs.

Salman Ali Agha could score only four runs. On his debut Haseebullah Khan was dismissed for zero and Irfan Niazi for seven runs. Rizwan scored 19 runs and remained not out.

When the match was stopped in the 21st over due to rain, Pakistan were 60 runs for six wickets.

At this point the score should have been 141 under DLS law. Thus, Pakistan lost the match by 80 runs.

From Zimbabwe, Mizra Bani, Sikandar Raza and Shane Williams took two wickets each.

Sikandar Raza was awarded the man of the match award for his all-round performance. The second match of the three-match series will be played in Bulawayo on Tuesday.