HARARE, Zimbabwe, Nov 27: Centuries by Saleem Elahi and Yousuf Youhana ensured third successive one-day international victory by Pakistan over Zimbabwe Wednesday to wrap up the five-match series 3-0.

Waqar Younis’s tourists had already won the Test series 2-0.

Saleem’s crafted 108 in 119 balls and another display of power and precision by Yousuf Youhana in amassing 100 in just 68 balls enabled Pakistan to reach 323-3, a target which was inevitably beyond the reach of the home side.

It was their third total over 300 in succession, 302 and 344 being scored in Bulawayo last weekend.

Zimbabwe, already somewhat demoralised, did however find a new aggressive attitude through Mark Vermeulen, playing in only his second international.

He struck 79 in 81 to establish his place in the side and set the tone for the Flower brothers Andy and Grant to capitalise on. They scored 63 and 54 respectively, but after their departure Pakistan coasted home.

However Zimbabwe’s 275-7 left them a respectable 48 runs short and it was a decent performance that will help restore their confidence.

Youhana has now scored 141, 76 and 100 without the Zimbabweans getting him out, a total of 317 runs. He stood on 94 with one ball left and pulled Sean Ervine over square leg for a six with the last ball of the innings.

Taufeeq produced another solid back-up innings of 68 and he put on 155 runs with Saleem Elahi for the first wicket.

Saqlain Mushtaq was again the most successful Pakistan bowler with 3-40, but neither Wasim Akram nor Waqar Younis, unusually, managed to get a dismissal between them.

The first half of the match was watched by executives from the International Cricket Council and the six countries due to play in the cricket World Cup here in February and March next year. These are England, Australia, Holland, India, Pakistan and Namibia.

They are spending three days examining security and the safety of players and officials in Zimbabwe.

They viewed the ground arrangements for the match between Zimbabwe and Pakistan and will proceed to interview cabinet ministers, city mayors, police and security authorities here.

Scoreboard

PAKISTAN