Zimbabwe broke a nine-year drought with a thrilling victory over Pakistan in a rain-affected one-day international (ODI) at Queens Sports Club yesterday.
The Chevrons triumphed by 80 runs using the Duckworth-Lewis (D/L) method, marking their first win against Pakistan in ODIs since 2015 in Harare.
This victory was particularly special as it also ended Zimbabwe’s winless streak in ODIs this year. The Chevrons’ last success in the 50-over format came in July 2022, during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, when they defeated Oman at the same venue. Since then, Zimbabwe had endured back-to-back series losses to Ireland and Sri Lanka.
In yesterday’s match, Zimbabwe batted first but were dismissed for 205 runs in just 40.2 overs. Despite the modest total, the Chevrons’ bowlers ensured Pakistan could not capitalize, reducing them to 60/6 in 21 overs when rain brought the game to an early close.
The Chevrons’ batting saw contributions from various players, but it was an unlikely hero, fast bowler Richard Ngarava, who stole the show with the bat. Coming in at number 10, Ngarava scored a career-best 48 runs off 52 balls. His efforts were supported by Sikandar Raza (39 off 56), Tadiwanashe Marumani (29 off 41), Sean Williams (23 off 17), and debutant Brian Bennett (20 off 20).
For Pakistan, Faisal Akram and Salman Agha stood out with the ball, both taking three wickets. Akram ended with figures of 3/24 in eight overs, while Agha claimed 3/42 from his nine.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers then rose to the occasion, delivering a dominant performance. Blessing Muzarabani struck early, dismissing both Pakistan openers—Saim Ayub (11) and Abdullah Shafique (1)—within the first five overs. Raza showcased his all-round brilliance by taking two wickets for seven runs in three overs, while Williams impressed with figures of 2/12 from six overs. Pakistan’s top scorer was captain Mohammad Rizwan, who remained unbeaten on 19 runs off 43 balls, with Kumran Ghulam adding 17 off 18.
For his exceptional all-round contribution, Raza was named player of the match. Reflecting on the game, he expressed satisfaction with their bowling effort, acknowledging that defending a below-par score required a collective team effort.
“Two hundred and fifty would have been ideal on that wicket as it was turning, making it challenging to play spin,” Raza explained. “But credit to our fast bowlers—they started strong and didn’t let Pakistan take control of the game. Their early breakthroughs were crucial for our win.”
The match also carried a philanthropic message, with proceeds going to KidzCan Zimbabwe, an organization focused on improving survival rates for childhood cancer. In solidarity, players, officials, and fans wore orange, symbolizing support for the cause.
With the first game now concluded, attention turns to tomorrow’s second match at Queens Sports Club. Zimbabwe will aim to seal the series, while Pakistan will look to bounce back and level the contest. The game begins at 9:30 a.m.
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