Mon Nov 25 04:09:02 UTC 2024: **Zimbabwe Upsets Pakistan in Rain-Curtailed ODI, Winning by 80 Runs**

BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE – November 24, 2024 – Zimbabwe pulled off a stunning upset victory over Pakistan in the first One Day International (ODI) of their three-match series, winning by 80 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. Rain significantly impacted the match, disrupting Pakistan’s chase.

Pakistan, under the captaincy of Mohammad Rizwan, won the toss and opted to field. Zimbabwe, despite losing seven wickets for 125 runs, managed to post a respectable 205 runs in 40.2 overs thanks to a late-innings surge led by Richard Ngarava’s 48 runs and a crucial 62-run partnership between Ngarava and Sikandar Raza (39). Tadiwanashe Marumani (29) and Sean Williams (23) also contributed useful runs. Raza further impressed with his bowling performance, taking 2 wickets for only 7 runs in 3 overs, earning him Player of the Match honors.

Pakistan’s chase faltered early. They lost their top six batsmen for just 60 runs in 21 overs before rain halted play. Blessing Muzarabani struck early, dismissing openers Abdullah Shafique (1) and Saim Ayub (11). While Kamran Ghulam (17) and Mohammad Rizwan (19*) offered some resistance, Sean Williams’ crucial wicket of Ghulam significantly hampered Pakistan’s recovery. The collapse continued with Raza dismissing Aga Salman (4) and Haseebullah Khan (0) in the same over. Further wickets fell rapidly, leaving Pakistan struggling at 60/6 when rain intervened. The match could not resume, and the DLS method awarded Zimbabwe an 80-run victory, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. The second ODI will be played on Tuesday at the same venue.

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