Mon Nov 25 06:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Zimbabwe Stuns Pakistan in Rain-Shortened ODI Thriller
**Harare, Zimbabwe** – Sikandar Raza inspired Zimbabwe to a stunning 80-run victory over Pakistan in a rain-affected first One Day International (ODI) on Sunday. Raza’s crucial 39 runs, coupled with a 62-run partnership with Richard Ngarava (48), propelled Zimbabwe to a respectable 205 all out after they were reeling at 125-7.
Pakistan’s inexperienced bowling attack, missing key players like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, struggled to contain Zimbabwe’s openers early on. However, the introduction of Pakistan’s spinners, Faisal Akram (3-24) and Salman Ali Agha (3-42), turned the tide, leaving Zimbabwe in a precarious position.
But Raza and Ngarava’s resilient eighth-wicket stand rescued Zimbabwe, adding much-needed runs to their total. Raza also contributed significantly with the ball, taking two crucial wickets in one over.
Pakistan’s chase was hampered by the early loss of key wickets. Blessing Muzarabani dismissed Saim Ayub (11) and Abdullah Shafique (1) early, and Raza’s two wickets in one over further crippled their efforts. The rain then intervened, bringing an end to the match with Pakistan languishing at 60-6 in 21 overs.
The victory marks a 1-0 lead for Zimbabwe in the three-match series, a significant upset against a Pakistan side experimenting with its bench strength in the absence of Babar Azam and its frontline pace bowlers. The remaining ODIs and a subsequent three-match T20I series will also be played in Bulawayo.
First Piper 