Pakistan v Zimbabwe 1st ODI — As it happened

E-Paper | April 29, 2026

Welcome to Dawn.com's live coverage of the first One-Day International between Pakistan and Zimbabwe from Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.

Match Summary:

All-rounder Shoaib Malik made a winning return to limited-overs cricket with a blistering century as Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 41 runs in their first One-Day International.

Malik's 112 off 76 balls helped Pakistan to a challenging total of 375/3, and even an impressive 117 by Zimbabwe captain Elton Chingumbura's wasn't enough as the tourists reached 334/5.

Malik, returning to ODIs after two years, combined in a 201-run stand with Haris Sohail, who scored an unbeaten 89 as Pakistan's top order prospered against weak bowling.

Mohammad Hafeez (86) and captain Azhar Ali (79) laid a solid platform by putting on 170 runs.

Chigumbura led Zimbabwe's run-charge by hitting 10 fours and four sixes in his maiden century before being bowled by Wahab Riaz, who finished with 3/47.

Top Reads:

Pakistan look to carry winning momentum into ODI series | Pakistan and Zimbabwe look to build one-day future | Pakistan must win all three ODIs to retain points | Cricket comes home: Never seen this kind of support before, says Misbah | Pakistan recall Malik, Sami for Zimbabwe ODIs

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The writer is a multimedia journalist based in Karachi.

PHILOSOPHER

May 26, 2015 03:39pm

Pakistan will win comprehensively. Bet is on.

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aftab

May 26, 2015 03:47pm

Why Shoaib malik included. He has already become past history. Need to groom new comers

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Aadil

May 26, 2015 03:59pm

Where are the new players whom we were preparing for world cup during bangladesh series. . . . Pcb moving backward.

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Shahid

May 26, 2015 03:59pm

I am not watching today. I believe Pakistan will lose and that will be mainly due to selections of Haroon and Waqar. Who in the world can justify selection of Asad Shafiq and I will still believe so even if he scores a double hundred today. How can you drop Umar Akmal with an average of 35 and replace him with Asad who has a batting average of 24. Mukhtar, Nauman and Umar, all three should be part of our limited over teams. Selection mentality of playing Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Hafeez and Haris Sohail playing in the same team makes it impossible to score 300. I will wish Zimbabwe wins this game so that the culprits are made to understand.

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sandeep

May 26, 2015 04:00pm

writing is on the wall. Zimbabwe will won comprehensively

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Iqbal

May 26, 2015 04:32pm

So the guy that has the most difficulty in the entire Pakistan with the new ball is asked to open the innings once again lol. PCB has ruined our cricket by continuously picking up guys like hafeez and Malik and waqar has killed our cricket by not utilizing them correctly.

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May 26, 2015 04:40pm

Both Hafeez and Malik should be kicked out

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A Pakistani_Ireland

May 26, 2015 05:13pm

@Shahid -- For reality of so called great Umar Akaml with an average of 35......He scored only 34 runs in 2 T20's despite of giving preference on vice captain...( usual Waqar's mentality). For the one days ----- Umar Akmal scored 146 runs in 10 matches before the world cup....and 167 runs in 7 matches during the world cup... Check records.

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APakistani

May 26, 2015 05:19pm

good work dawn

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May 26, 2015 05:47pm

Good going Pakistan. Happy.

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shuaib

May 26, 2015 07:07pm

Thank you Zimbabwe for making these days!! Love and respect from Pakistan

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May 26, 2015 07:34pm

Crossed 300 mark. WOW! Let's hope Zim is all out before that.

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Harmony-1

May 26, 2015 07:40pm

@sandeep - Looking at the current score on the board, you seem to have some real dodgy crystal bowl !!!

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Amin Syed

May 26, 2015 08:09pm

See! The difference of performance when we play at home!

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May 26, 2015 08:12pm

Well done Pakistan for posting a fighting score. Shoaib has given a resounding answer to all his critics. A very satisfied performance by all those who batted. Now bowlers have to perform as there is nothing for them in the pitch.

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Warrior Bin Qasim

May 26, 2015 08:30pm

375/3 ? OMG!! That's another reason no team wants to visit Pakistan.

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Karim USA

May 26, 2015 08:47pm

Afridi was yesterday's hero and is done.....PAK team should look for new ones and let Afridi sail into the sunset

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May 26, 2015 09:04pm

@Warrior Bin Qasim OMG!! OMG!! 375 against whom?????

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Iqbal

May 26, 2015 10:45pm

Malik scoring a century was the worst thing happening for the Pakistani team. Countless times we have seen Malik and Hafeez score heavily against weaker or associate teams but the tougher the opponents and bigger the situation the smaller they come up.

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May 26, 2015 11:19pm

Grrr! do something. Stop them.

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Mohammad Salim

May 26, 2015 11:52pm

Win or lose, everybody is getting his money's worth! What a great fight back by Zimbabwe! Hats off to them!

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Harmony-1

May 27, 2015 12:12am

@KM - So childish!

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Karim USA

May 27, 2015 12:19am

I am watching the game online and a couple of times the camera was focused on the security personnel by the metal grids....they were deeply engrossed in the game.....I would have thought they would have been facing the crowd to make sure that things are safe and secure instead of "enjoying" the game...granted the game has been exciting.

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Shahid

May 27, 2015 12:22am

FACTS: (1) Pakistan should not feel secure if they score below 350 even against minows. (2) Zimbabwe is very much able to score 330 while chasing. What if they bat first and ask Pakistan to chase 330? (3) Pakistan bowling is the worst unit we ever had (4) Mohammad Sami recall back fired. And Anwer Ali isn't quite up to the mark. Hammad was the second best after Wahab. (5) Our selectors should at last understand that now is the era where you need to play Mukhtar, Nauman and Umar Akmal instead of going for Asad Shafiq.

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BESTO

May 27, 2015 12:26am

Zimbabwe's highest total against a Test-nation in ODIs

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Adnan

May 27, 2015 12:28am

Selectors are playing musical chairs and bringing back all the failed players again and again. Our bowling is the worst among test playing nations. Bangladesh made many records last month and today Zimbabwe scored their HIGHEST EVER score against a test playing nation. Sami and Anwer Ali have been tried a hundred times with the same result. Why not try some new bowlers like Imran Ali jr.

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May 27, 2015 12:30am

Heyyy! Congrats Pakistan. Well played in this oppressing heat. Zim also did well specially Chigumbra. The atmosphere of Gaddafi Stadium was great. Miss you Lahore.

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May 27, 2015 12:31am

Zimbabwe made 334/5. This our best bowling attack? Shame on us.

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Zameer

May 27, 2015 12:57am

Pakistan win does not dictated the best team has won the match. It is the luck that counts. How come a good team could allow a meager team to pass 300.

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