Pakistan’s victory over Zimbabwe in the third ODI of the 2024 series has sealed their triumph, giving them a 2-1 series win. The match, played in Bulawayo, saw Kamran Ghulam shine with a maiden ODI century and a disciplined performance from the Pakistani bowlers, who restricted Zimbabwe to just 204 in their chase of 304.
This victory marks Pakistan’s second consecutive series win after their successful comeback against Australia earlier in the month. In this post, we will dive into the key moments that led to Pakistan’s dominant ODI series win over Zimbabwe.
A Steady Start and Ghulam’s Maiden Century:
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, a decision that paid off despite a cautious start. The opening partnership between Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique was steady, with Shafique contributing his fifth half-century. However, Ayub fell soon after, miscuing a shot to the boundary, handing Zimbabwe a crucial breakthrough.
But it was Kamran Ghulam who played the anchor role for Pakistan. He started slow but found his rhythm, scoring a vital century in his maiden ODI innings. Ghulam’s steady knock helped Pakistan reach 303/6 in their allotted 50 overs.
Ghulam’s partnership with Rizwan was instrumental in stabilizing Pakistan’s innings. While Rizwan’s strike rate remained low, it was Ghulam who picked up the pace, particularly taking on Brian Bennett with a series of boundaries.
The momentum shifted in Pakistan’s favor when they scored 69 runs in the final five overs, pushing their total beyond 300. Zimbabwe’s fielding lapses, including poor bowling in the death overs, helped Pakistan’s cause.
Zimbabwe’s Struggle in the Chase:
In response, Zimbabwe started brightly, with Craig Ervine anchoring the innings. His half-century kept Zimbabwe’s hopes alive for a while, but Pakistan’s bowlers were relentless. Haris Rauf and Ayub got early breakthroughs, reducing Zimbabwe to 56/3. Despite occasional resistance from players like Sean Williams and Bennett, Zimbabwe couldn’t maintain a sustained partnership.
The turning point came when Haris Rauf and Aamer Jamal took crucial wickets in the middle overs, breaking Zimbabwe’s resolve. Ervine’s dismissal, followed by wickets from Raza and Bennett, put the final nail in the coffin for Zimbabwe. Despite some late resistance from Clive Madande and Richard Ngarava, Zimbabwe fell short, finishing their chase at 204 all out in just 40.1 overs, handing Pakistan a 99-run victory.
Key Performances That Sealed the Win:
- Kamran Ghulam’s Maiden Century: His 103 runs were the backbone of Pakistan’s innings, providing stability at the crease and helping Pakistan post a challenging total.
- Abdullah Shafique’s Half-Century: His 50-run partnership with Ayub set a solid foundation for the middle order.
- Pakistan’s Bowling Attack: Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed took key wickets at crucial moments, while Ayub, Ahmed, and Rauf picked up two wickets each, ensuring Zimbabwe never got close to the target.
The collective efforts of the Pakistan ODI team ensured that Zimbabwe could never get into a rhythm, and Pakistan’s well-rounded performance across batting and bowling clinched the series victory.
Pakistan’s ODI Series Victory: A Moment to Celebrate
Pakistan’s victory in the series against Zimbabwe is more than just a win; it highlights the team’s resilience and depth. This series win, following their comeback in Australia, reflects the team’s ability to adapt to different conditions and bounce back stronger. The performance from Kamran Ghulam, especially with his maiden ODI century, is a sign of the young talent emerging in Pakistan cricket.
For Zimbabwe, while there were moments of brilliance, their inability to capitalize on partnerships cost them dearly. The bowling attack, though occasionally threatening, couldn’t halt Pakistan’s progress, and their batting fell short when it mattered most.
A Close Look at the Zimbabwe vs Pakistan 2024 Series:
For more insights into the Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024-25, you can check out our fixtures and results or explore the full squads. You can also get detailed stats and information on the full scorecard of the 3rd ODI.
Conclusion: A Well-Deserved Victory for Pakistan
Pakistan’s 99-run win over Zimbabwe in the third ODI secured them the series, and their all-round performance was a testament to their growing dominance in the limited-overs format. From Kamran Ghulam’s century to the clinical bowling efforts, Pakistan was in control throughout. With this win, they’ve proven their ability to perform under pressure, and their momentum will undoubtedly carry into future series.
Why This Victory Matters for Pakistan’s Cricketing Future
This series win against Zimbabwe is not just a statistic but an indication of the bright future that lies ahead for Pakistan cricket. Ghulam’s performance is a reminder of the untapped potential within the team, and with players like him stepping up, Pakistan has a promising future.
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