After a successful Twenty20 series win, Pakistan now take on Zimbabwe in the first of the three-match ODI series at Harare Sports Club.
ODI captain Azhar Ali is back from Hajj and so is wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed but the latter will be playing as a specialist batsman with Muhammad Rizwan keeping the wickets today. Also, Aamer Yamin makes his debut for Pakistan.
Off-spinner Bilal Asif who was included in the ODI squad to be tried and tested for the Test series against England in the UAE has not been included in the first match.
Meanwhile, Brian Chari makes an ODI debut for Zimbabwe today while they are playing with Chris Mpofu in the ODIs dropping Prosper Utseya.
Welcome to the live updates of the first ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Hope this turns out to be a better contest than the low-scoring T20s.
Teams
Pakistan: Azhar Ali (capt), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Aamer Yamin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Irfan.
Zimbabwe: Brian Chari, Chamu Chibhabha, Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Elton Chigumbura (capt), Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Luke Jongwe, John Nyumbu, Chris Mpofu, Tinashe Panyangara.
Quick Updates
Pitch report: It is a typical Harare pitch. Slow and steady. But there is a little bit of moisture in it to exploit.
Toss: Zimbabwe won the toss and sent Pakistan in to bat first.
PAK 35-2 (10 overs)
FOUR! Full and on Hafeez’s legs. Glanced towards long leg by the right-hand professor.
Jongwe in for his fifth over on the trot.
PAK 31-2 (9 overs)
Just a single off his over.
Chamu Chibhabha in for his first over.
PAK 30-2 (8 overs)
FOUR! Pakistan batsman playing beautiful cover drives today. Hafeez this time, steady in his stance and it bisects the fielder nicely.
Jongwe in for his fourth.
PAK 24-2 (7 overs)
OUT! Caught at mid-off. Shehzad chips it to Chigumbura for a dolly! He departs for 12 and Pakistan in opening trouble. Surprise, surprise! Sarfraz Ahmed has been sent out to bat at the number four position instead of Shoaib Malik.
FOUR! Shehzad again this time. He uses his feet to guide the ball towards the long-off boundary.
FOUR! Elegant strike through covers by Ahmed Shehzad. Timed to perfection.
Panyangara bowls with the keeper standing up.
PAK 16-1 (6 overs)
RUN OUT! A mix up between the batsmen and Azhar Ali (11) has to depart early. Muhammad Hafeez join Shehzad.
FOUR! Azhar walks down the pitch and smashes it over the covers.
Jongwe.
PAK 12-0 (5 overs)
FOUR! Eased through the covers for a boundary by Azhar Ali. Timing coupled with sheer class!
Panyangara.
PAK 7-0 (4 overs)
Just a single off the over. Pakistani openers taking their time to settle in before they start playing their shots.
Luke Jongwe in for his second now.
PAK 6-0 (3 overs)
Six runs off the over.
Panyangara in for his second.
PAK 1-0 (2 overs)
DROPPED! Azhar Ali given a life line at second slip. Such an easy catch and its been put down.
First run on the board by Shehzad. A quick single stolen from covers.
Luke Jongwe will share the new ball with Panyangara.
PAK 0-0 (1 over)
Zimbabwe start off with a maiden over.
Azhar’s elbow hurt while leaving the ball. The ball takes an unusual bounce from Panyangara. He is taking his time to get settled.
Captain Azhar Ali and Ahmed Shehzad have walked out for Pakistan. Tinashe Panyangara will open the bowling for the hosts.
Toss
Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura won the toss and sent Pakistan in to bat first. He feels he can chase whatever Azhar-led men will put up for them.
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