Zimbabwe shocked Pakistan in the first match of their three-game One Day International (ODI) series, winning by 80 runs using the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method at Queens Sports Club on Sunday.
Batting first, Zimbabwe faced early struggles, with the scoreboard reading 125-7 midway through their innings. Pakistan-born Sikandar Raza scored 39 runs, and tailender Richard Ngarava added a crucial 48 runs. Their eighth-wicket partnership of 62 runs pushed Zimbabwe to a total of 205 before being bowled out with nine overs to spare.
Debutant left-arm wrist spinner Faisal Akram impressed for Pakistan, taking 3-24, while off-spinner Salman Agha chipped in with 3-42.
Zimbabwe’s fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani dominated Pakistan’s top order, removing both openers cheaply. Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled to 60-6 in 21 overs before heavy rain stopped play, sealing Zimbabwe’s victory under DLS rules.
The two teams will face off again in Bulawayo on Tuesday and Thursday.
