No more shock loss! Mohammad Rizwan wins his second consecutive ODI series as Pakistan captain

In the heart of Bulawayo’s Queens Sports Club, Pakistan managed to do what was expected, clinching the One Day International (ODI) series against Zimbabwe with a resounding 99-run victory in the third and final match. While the victory came on the back of Kamran Ghulam’s century, it marks Mohammad Rizwan’s successful start to his captaincy career. Rizwan was appointed Pakistan’s ODI skipper just before the white-ball series against Australia.

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The day began with Pakistan winning the toss and choosing to bat, a decision that would prove pivotal in their series triumph. The opening partnership between Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique laid a cautious yet solid foundation, accumulating 58 runs before Faraz Akram’s breakthrough disrupted their momentum. However, cricket is a game of partnerships, and Shafique quickly forged another crucial 54-run stand with Kamran Ghulam, setting the stage for a commanding total of 303/6.

Ghulam’s innings was nothing short of spectacular. Displaying remarkable composure and attacking intent, he crafted a magnificent century. Scoring 103 runs from just 99 deliveries, his innings was adorned with 10 fours and four towering sixes. His strike rate of 104.04 demonstrated that he has that attacking game too.

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The batting lineup’s collective effort saw Pakistan amass an imposing 303/6. Captain Mohammad Rizwan contributed a solid 37 runs, while Salma Agha and Tayyab Tahir provided crucial support with 30 and 29 unbeaten runs respectively. This comprehensive total placed immense pressure on the Zimbabwe batting unit.

Zimbabwe’s chase began disastrously, with Saim Ayub’s off-spin wreaking early havoc. Joylord Gumbie and Dion Myers were back in the pavilion within the first three overs, leaving their team reeling. A brief 39-run partnership between Tadiwanashe Marumani and Craig Ervine offered a glimmer of hope, but Abrar Ahmed’s mystery spin quickly extinguished those aspirations.

The Pakistani bowling attack dismantled Zimbabwe’s batting lineup. Abrar Ahmed’s dismissal of Marumani, trapping him leg before, was a pivotal moment. The experienced duo of Ervine and Sean Williams attempted to resurrect their team’s prospects, but Haris Rauf and Aamer Jamal had other plans. Williams chopped onto his stumps, and Ervine followed soon after, despite an earlier dropped catch.

Sikandar Raza’s brief resistance was cut short by a well-executed catch by Abdullah Shafique off Aamer Jamal’s bowling. Brian Bennett’s late-order defiance proved futile as Pakistan’s bowlers maintained their stranglehold, ultimately sealing a comprehensive victory and winning the series 2-1.