'Minnows' Zimbabwe jolt Pakistan with historic Test victory

Published September 14, 2013
Zimbabwe's first Test win over Pakistan since 1998 meant the two sides shared the series 1-1. -Photo by AFP
Zimbabwe's first Test win over Pakistan since 1998 meant the two sides shared the series 1-1. -Photo by AFP
Zimbabwe's first Test win over Pakistan since 1998 meant the two sides shared the series 1-1.
Zimbabwe's first Test win over Pakistan since 1998 meant the two sides shared the series 1-1.

HARARE: Zimbabwe took two wickets in three balls to seal its first win over Pakistan in 15 years on the final day of the second Test on Saturday, claiming victory by a narrow 24 runs to draw the series 1-1.

Tendai Chatara finished with 5-61 as Pakistan was bowled out for 239 soon after lunch, short of the 264 it needed to sweep the series 2-0.

The Zimbabweans struck at the end as Junaid Khan was out caught off Chatara and two balls later last man Rahat Ali was run out in a mix up that sealed Pakistan's fate. Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq finished 79 not out in a losing effort.

“Finally beating a world-class team is a wonderful feeling, especially for our bowlers. We haven't had a bowling coach in six months, so massive credit must go to them. Everyone contributed, but there is still room for improvement,” an elated Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor said a TV interview after the game.

Misbah was full of praise for the home side.

“Zimbabwe deserved the victory, they played excellent cricket in the first Test and this one. Even from the start they were positive, they had us under pressure throughout the game,” Misbah said.

“The positives for us is the bowlers, but batting is a little bit of a worry, the batsmen have to learn from their mistakes. You can't win Test matches scoring 20s and 30s.”

The victory was Zimbabwe's third against Pakistan in tests, but first since 1998.

Their last win over one of the world's top test-playing nations was against India in 2001, though they have beaten Bangladesh on four occasions since, the last a crushing 335-run victory in April.

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