Zimbabwe Select outplayed Pakistan Shaheens in a thrilling encounter at Harare Sports Club, securing a comprehensive seven-wicket victory. Craig Ervine and Joylord Gumbie showcased exceptional batting performances, propelling their team to successfully chase down a target of 296 runs.
Ervine was the standout player of the match, displaying remarkable skills and resilience as he notched up a splendid century. His magnificent knock of 161 runs off just 144 deliveries, which included 19 fours and three sixes, overshadowed Pakistan’s Omair Bin Yousuf’s impressive innings of 153 runs. Ervine’s opening partner, Gumbie, also made a noteworthy contribution, crafting a brilliant century of his own. Gumbie’s composed innings of 111 runs off 124 balls, embellished with 10 boundaries, solidified Zimbabwe’s pursuit of the target.
Pakistan Shaheens had an early breakthrough by dismissing Tadiwanashe Marumani in the second over. However, Ervine and Gumbie’s partnership of 277 runs for the second wicket thwarted any further progress for the tourists. The only other breakthroughs for Pakistan came in the 45th and 46th overs, but it was too late to derail Zimbabwe’s charge.
Pakistan Shaheens set a competitive total of 295 runs, primarily due to the heroic innings played by Omair Bin Yousuf. The talented right-handed batsman smashed 153 runs off 126 deliveries, including 14 fours and four sixes. Omair provided stability to the middle order after Pakistan had lost three wickets for just 55 runs. He forged a crucial partnership of 139 runs with Kamran Ghulam, who contributed 55 runs off 79 balls.
However, in the 39th over, the partnership was broken, and Zimbabwe’s fast bowler Brad Evans seized the opportunity. Evans went on to claim a remarkable five-wicket haul, conceding only 62 runs in his spell of 10 overs. His impressive performance restricted Pakistan’s scoring rate and played a vital role in Zimbabwe’s triumph.
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The two teams will face each other again at the same venue for the fifth one-day match, with Zimbabwe Select currently leading the series 3-1.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan Shaheens: 295-9 in 50 overs (Omair Bin Yousuf 153, Kamran Ghulam 55, Haseebullah 22; Brad Evans 5-62, Wellington Masakadza 2-45)
Zimbabwe Select: 299-3 in 47.3 overs (Craig Ervine 161, Joylord Gumbie 111; Shahnawaz Dahani 2-60)
