Ervine, Gumbie star as Zimbabwe Select thrash Pakistan Shaheens

HARARE: Craig Ervine and Joylord Gumbie smashed magnificent centuries amid their marathon second-wicket partnership and propelled Zimbabwe Select to thrash Pakistan Shaheens by seven wickets in the fourth one-day.

Set to chase a massive total of 296, Zimbabwe Select eased their way to a convincing seven-wicket victory over Pakistan Shaheens on the back of remarkable centuries by Ervine and Gumbie.

Earlier, the hosts were off to a dismal start to the pursuit as Shahnawaz Dahani struck in the second over of the innings and removed Tadiwanashe Marumani (4) for a combined total of eight.

Following the early setback, Craig Ervine joined Joylord Gumbie in the middle and stitched an astounding partnership for the second wicket which put Zimbabwe Select in complete command.

The pair utterly dominated Pakistan Shaheens’ bowlers on their way to a match-defining 278-run partnership with both scoring centuries.

Ervine and Gumbie looked confident of taking Zimbabwe Select without further damage until Aamer Jamal finally broke the shackles for Pakistan when he got the prized wicket of the former.

Craig Ervine top-scored for Zimbabwe Select with a swashbuckling 161 off just 144 deliveries with the help of 19 boundaries and three sixes.

Gumbie then perished in the next over off Shahnawaz Dahani but it was too late for Pakistan Shaheens to force their way back into the game as the hosts only needed 11 runs in 29 deliveries.

Joylord Gumbie smashed 10 boundaries on his way to a gritty 124-ball 111.

Following the departure of both set batters, Wessly Madhevere (9*) and Milton Shumba (2*) made sure there were not any more hiccups in the run chase and steered their side over the line with 15 balls to spare.

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Put into bat first, Pakistan Shaheens put on a commendable total on the scoreboard courtesy of Omair Bin Yousuf’s marathon knock of 153 runs.

Smashing 14 fours and four maximums, Omair singlehandedly put Pakistan Shaheens on top with a majestic batting show consuming 126 balls and staying at the crease for around 41 overs.

He built a solid 144-run partnership in the middle with Kamran Ghulam, who scored 55 from 79 balls.

Electing to bowl first, Zimbabwe Select earned their first breakthrough in the 8th over through fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani, dismissing Mohammad Hurraira on 17.

The next two wickets fell in quick succession as Haseebullah Khan (22) and Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (0) departed within four balls between the 13th and 14th overs.

However, Omair and Kamran then sailed the Pakistan Shaheens’ innings to 194/3 from 55/3 in the next 25 overs before another debacle hit the lower order and none of the lower-order batters’ made into double figures except Qasim Akram with his paltry 16.

For Zimbabwe Select, Brad Evan was the pick of the bowlers with five for 62 in his 10 overs, while Wellington Masakadza grabbed two scalps.

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