Zimbabwe defeat Pakistan in first ODI by 80 runs on DLS method

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The hosts started strongly, with openers Joylord Gumbie and Tadiwanashe Marumani adding 40 runs in the first six overs.

However, their partnership ended in disappointment when Gumbie was run out after a mix-up in the sixth over. He scored 15 runs from 17 balls, including three boundaries.

Marumani built brief partnerships with Dion Myers, Craig Ervine, and Sean Williams but was dismissed in the 16th over, leaving Zimbabwe at 83/4. He contributed 29 runs off 41 balls, hitting two fours and a six.

After his departure, Zimbabwe’s middle order crumbled, and they were reduced to 125/7 by the 26th over.

Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava then steadied the innings with a crucial 62-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Raza played a determined knock of 39 from 56 balls, including six boundaries, before being dismissed by debutant Faisal Akram in the 38th over.

Faisal struck again in the same over, removing Blessing Muzarabani for a duck, reducing Zimbabwe to 187/9.

Ngarava showed resilience, top-scoring with 48 runs from 52 balls, hitting six boundaries and a six. He, along with Trevor Gwandu (3*), helped Zimbabwe cross the 200-run mark with a fighting 10th-wicket stand.

For Pakistan, Faisal Akram and Agha Salman were the standout bowlers, taking three wickets each. Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, and Aamir Jamal chipped in with a wicket apiece.