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Legspinner Yasir Shah returned career-best figures as Pakistan routed Zimbabwe by 131 runs in the first of three one-day internationals at Harare Sports Club.
Chasing a target of 260 after a century stand by Mohammad Rizwan and Imad Wasim had rescued the Pakistan innings, Zimbabwe were bowled out for just 128 with Shah recording figures of 6 for 26.
The hosts had gained the upper hand in the morning by winning the toss and reducing Pakistan to 128 for five, but Rizwan and Wasim added 124 for the sixth wicket.
Both batsmen ended up scoring at a run a ball on a dry surface, with Rizwan finishing unbeaten on 75 and Wasim run out for 61 in the final over of the innings.
Zimbabwe attempted to build their reply with a steady start, but Shah struck in his first and third overs before going on to run through the middle order.
Shoaib Malik also chipped in with three wickets as the Zimbabwean innings lasted just 37 overs.
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On DawnNews
Comments (24) Closed
Oct 01, 2015 01:12pm
Why in the world Rizwan is playing when Sarfaraz is in the team. Rizwan is a below average batsmen. We should have played a specialist batsmen. What kind of selection is this?
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Oct 01, 2015 01:20pm
Give Selfie Shahzad a break, will you? The man is recently married.
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Oct 01, 2015 02:16pm
Shahzad must have greased some selectors palm to find a berth in all three formats. He is neither a T twenty nor an ODI player. Imad Akmal any time is more competent more exciting and more consistent. Hafiz without bowling is not a fit and should make way for a youngster
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Oct 01, 2015 03:53pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan wow what a comment, look at the scorecard and you will realize your understanding of game. Rizwan is the top scorer in this match, and even other matches look at his average and strike rate first, then comment about him.
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Oct 01, 2015 04:12pm
We'll pak bowlers can defend this score 259. Let's see what happens
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Oct 01, 2015 04:14pm
not a particularly Imposing score,for abetter ranked team where 300+is a norm. middle order has greatly improved.run rate again an issue lets cheer up the bowlers.
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Oct 01, 2015 04:23pm
Well played Rizwan.
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Oct 01, 2015 04:23pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Let me guess what are you going to eat for dinner. Your words!
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Oct 01, 2015 04:30pm
Plsss Pakistan selectrs Open eyes.It is not only your interest but Billion of Pakistan cricket lover interest get rid of A. Shazad and M.Hafeez and bring back H.Sohail .S.Maqsood/U Akmal(atleast They r better batsman than Hafeez)
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Oct 01, 2015 04:41pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan: And who is specialist batsman? ... Since long time we are carrying mediocre batsmen on recommendation, provincialism and nepotism .., when they are failures and throughout Pakistani not-so-specialist batsmen and some bowlers are scoring or taking wickets, and thus rescuing these mediocre batsmen. I think, Rizwan and Imad are better batsmen than so-called failed batsmen like Shahzad and Hafeez ... and many others who keep playing for Pakistan, on and off.
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Oct 01, 2015 04:46pm
Well i agree with "SAB SE PEHLE PAKISTAN".Rizwan played well in this match but he is not very talented cricketer. His catch was dropped in the first T20 and then he started playing with his" body"rather then" bat". In second T20 he got out quickly. In the recent national level T20 series he played well in only one match
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Oct 01, 2015 04:47pm
Top order fails again. I think it is time for Ahmed Shahzad go. Again, Sarfraz was made to play into uncomfortable zone with M. Riz taken as a wicketkeeper along with him. I think they gradually want to push Sarfraz Ahmed out of the squad giving Rizwan's performance as justification.
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Oct 01, 2015 04:53pm
I have praised Rizwan for his character traits but today his immaturity bordering stupidity caught up with him when he got Immad Wasim runout in the last over.
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Oct 01, 2015 04:53pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan : Seems some thing wrong with your analysis. Why are you comparing the two just because they both are good players and wicket keepers. Rizwan is now become an asset for Pakistan team along with Sarfaraz. With the current lot of youngsters I am quite hopeful that team Pakistan is progressing in the right direction.
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Oct 01, 2015 04:55pm
@ravian : This score is huge and challenging, please don't expect some high scores over dead slow pitches.
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Oct 01, 2015 05:08pm
@FAREED HUSSAIN : Healthy Competition is better than to make a player realize that he perform or not he would be the part of team. Sarfaraz is performing well so do Rizwan and there isn't any harm keeping both in the playing eleven as far as they perform with their best skills. Ultimately this duo would benefit Pakistan Cricket. I think besides having loads of talent, Ahmed shahzad has quite careless attitude like Umer akmal and there must be some one in his competition. Team Pakistan is doing good if not best in all 3 formats although there are too much experiments but before settlement to any consistent eleven we don't have any choice but to experiment with different combinations. We should support our team, great going Coach and captains of all three format.
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Oct 01, 2015 05:08pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Both are really good cricketers and should play in the same team.
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Oct 01, 2015 07:25pm
Rizwan is the best.He has proved his mettle in the T-20.He is better then Sarfaraz.
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Oct 01, 2015 07:26pm
@cricket
Yes I can see your shallow understanding. One performance and permanent class is different. First learn the rules of the game
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Oct 01, 2015 07:39pm
Well played Pakistan and well deserved victory.
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Oct 01, 2015 07:47pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Both are excellent players and deserved to be in all format.
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Oct 01, 2015 07:54pm
excellent keep it up
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Oct 01, 2015 07:55pm
Well done Mohammad Rizwan, Well done Imad Wasim and well done Messi. Simple boys but passion to play cricket and highly determined. Well done again.
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Oct 01, 2015 08:14pm
It is time to give Hafeez and Shahzad some rest. Open with Azhar and Sarfaraz and give chance to new comers.
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