Ghulam’s spectacular maiden ODI century, combined with a masterful bowling display, led Pakistan to a commanding 99-run victory in Bulawayo.
This triumph not only won them the series 2-1 but also marked their second consecutive come-from-behind ODI series win, following a similar feat in Australia earlier this month.
Pakistan set a formidable target of 303, thanks to a steady start by the openers. Abdullah Shafique was instrumental, notching his fifth half-century, while some erratic bowling in the death overs by Zimbabwe allowed Pakistan to amass an impressive 69 runs in the final five overs. In reply, Zimbabwe struggled to build momentum, with only Craig Ervine’s half-century standing out. Without sufficient support from other batsmen, Pakistan tightened their grip on the match, wrapping up the Zimbabwe innings in just 40.1 overs.
Despite the forecast of rain, clear skies greeted Pakistan when they won the toss and chose to bat first. Though the pace wasn’t as frantic as Tuesday’s, Saim Ayub and Shafique ensured a brisk start, reaching a 50-run partnership within 11 overs. However, Ayub soon fell to his own ambition, misjudging an iconic shot and lofting Faisal Akram to Clive Madande at deep backward square leg.
Rizwan and Ghulam combined to put together the largest partnership of the innings, but even as conditions for batting flattened out, the anticipated uptick in the scoring rate did not follow. Rizwan, in particular, coasted at a strike rate of just over 50 off his first 25 balls, leaving Ghulam to push through the gears. He took a liking to Brian Bennett, forcing him out of the attack after taking 27 off his two overs. Zimbabwe reigned the visitors back again with Williams and Akram before Raza got his side the breakthrough. Rizwan had lofted him for six over long-on off a miscue, and when he tried it again off the next delivery, Dion Myers had a simple catch.
It was the 46th over that the wheels finally came off for Zimbabwe. The Akram over saw six wides, a no-ball, two fours and a six as 23 came off it, and Pakistan suddenly eyed 300. Even Blessing Muzarabani wasn’t spared, taken for 24 in his final two overs as Pakistan eked over the 300 mark, taking all the momentum with them to the break.
Chasing a daunting 304-run target, the home side only managed 204 despite skipper Craig Ervine’s gutsy half-century.
Zimbabwe got off to a shaky start to the run chase as they were reduced to 10/2 inside three overs.
Following the slump, Ervine joined hands with Tadiwanashe Marumani and forged a cautious 39-run partnership, lasted with the latter’s dismissal in the ninth over.
Ervine was then involved in another crucial partnership, when he added 41 runs for the fourth wicket with Sean Williams before eventually falling victim to Aamir Jamal in the 26th over.
He remained the top-scorer for Zimbabwe with a 63-ball 51, laced with five fours and a six.