HARARE: It was a decision that left Pakistan in dismay and Shoaib Malik furious but umpires calling the players off for bad light meant that Zimbabwe won Saturday’s second One-day International by five runs on the D/L method to register their first victory against Pakistan in over two years.

Having squared the series, the hosts will enter the third and final match on Monday seeking a historic bilateral ODI series win — something which they have never achieved against Pakistan.

However, it won’t be easy going at all for Zimbabwe as Azhar Ali’s men, seething after the controversial loss, will look to hit back hard.

“I think the game was in our favour,” said Malik, who was left stranded on 96 not out after masterminding Pakistan’s recovery from 76-6 to 256-8 and needing 21 runs off two overs for victory.

“Obviously there are certain ICC rules and we have to follow them. I think overall it was a great game, but at the end of the day it’s a little bit disappointing the way it ended.

“But being a professional cricketer and representing your country, you have to follow certain rules and regulations.”

Pakistan remain favourites to win the series, having already taken both Twenty20 matches between the two sides, but they will need to get back to their strengths.

Their bowling made the difference in the first ODI — which they won by 131 runs — with wickets falling quickly thanks to a spin masterclass by Yasir Shah, and the visitors shouldn’t be afraid to go back to that on Monday.

Zimbabwe batsmen, however, showed good application in the second ODI and skipper Elton Chigumbura, who was one of two half-centurions, will expect a similar effort from the batsmen in the final game of the series.

But he also warned his side against complacency after they almost let Pakistan off the hook.

“In the game of cricket, you can’t relax until the very last ball,” Chigumbura said. “There was a lot of pressure on the team and the players showed good character. We hope to do well on Monday and win the series.”

With the Pakistan players hurting from Saturday’s defeat, it promises to be a great contest on Monday.

Teams (from):

PAKISTAN: Azhar Ali (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Sohaib Maqsood, Shoaib Malik, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Rizwan, Immad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Asad Shafiq, Bilal Asif.

ZIMBABWE: Elton Chigumbura (captain), Sikandar Raza Butt, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Luke Jongwe, Neville Madziva, Hamilton Masakadza, Christopher Mpofu, Richmond Mutumbami (wicket-keeper), Taurai Muzarabani, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Prosper Utseya, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams.

Umpires: Russell Tiffin (Zimbabwe) and Ruchira Palliyaguruge (Sri Lanka).

TV umpire:Jeremiah Matibiri (Zimbabwe).

Match referee: David Jukes (England).

Published in Dawn, October 5th , 2015

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