Experienced Zimbabwe Select thrash Pakistan Shaheens in second one-day

An all-round performance from Zimbabwe Select’s Blessing Muzarabani handed Pakistan Shaheens a 80-run defeat in the second one-day of the six match series on Friday. This was Pakistan Shaheens’ second loss in as many matches.

While chasing a target of 237 runs, Pakistan Shaheens suffered an early blow as Tendai Chatara removed Saim Ayub for a golden duck on the first ball of the second innings.

Despite the early blow, Mohammad Hurraira started aggressively as he scored 33 runs from 36 balls, including four boundaries and one six.

Blessing Muzarabani, who scored a brilliant fifty with the bat, was on fire as he derailed Shaheens’ batting line-up by picking three crucial wickets of Hurraira (33), Kamran Ghulam (0), and Hussain Talat (10).

While half of the side was back in the dressing room, Mubasir Khan and skipper Imran Butt joined forces and stitched a partnership of 73 runs to get Shaheens’ chase back on track.

Imran Butt’s gritty knock of 45 runs came to an end as he was trapped lbw by Victor Nyauchi. 

Mubasir (44) and Mehran Mumtaz were also removed in the next over by Sean Williams. 

Shaheens’ lower-order batters didn’t survive for long as they were bowled out for 156.

Earlier, with the help of a fiery innings from Blessing Muzarabani at number 11, Zimbabwe Select managed to reach a decent total.

Shahanawaz Dahani drew first blood for Shaheens as he removed Innocent Kaia (2) and Wessly Madhevere (0) on consecutive deliveries in his second over.

Zimbabwe kept losing wickets at regular intervals and was at one point reeling 57-5 inside 13 overs.

Ryan Burl and Clive Madande provided much need support to Zimbabwe’s innings and formed a partnership of 88 run. Aamer Jamal struck gold for Shaheens and broke the partnership to put Zimbabwe under pressure again. He dismissed Clive Madande for 47 and Wellington Masakadza (6) in quick succession. 

Burl played a gritty knock of 47 runs, which included four boundaries and one six, before he was dismissed by Mehran Mumtaz. 

Select were 169-9 in 31.4 overs, when Muzarabani took charge and played an unbeaten 50-run knock from 24 balls, which included seven fours and two sixes. 

Despite going for 75 runs in his 10 over-spell, Aamer Jamal was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed five scalps.

Scores in brief

Zimbabwe Select 236 all out, 38.5 overs (Blessing Muzarabani 50 not out, Ryan Burl 47, Clive Madane 43; Aamir Jamal 5-75, Shahnawaz Dahani 2-36)

Pakistan Shaheens 156 all out, 37.3 overs (Imran Butt 45, Mubasir Khan 44, Muhammad Huraira 33; Blessing Muzarabani 4-23, Sean Williams 2-16, Victor Nyauchi 2-43)