2 weeks Ago
Zimbabwe Vs Pakistan Live Score 3rd ODI: Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bat first against Zimbabwe. Pakistan bounced back with a dominant show in the second ODI after Zimbabwe took a stunning 1-0 lead in the series opener. Rizwan observed that the pitch looked the same as the second ODI and should become a little more challenging in the second innings.
He also added that Pakistan have been giving chances to youngsters with an eye on next year’s Champions Trophy. Craig Ervine, the Zimbabwe captain, said he would have bowled first and admitted that it’s been a challenge to read the conditions correctly. He doesn’t expect the pitch to change much since not much cricket was played on it during the second ODI.
Pakistan were unchanged but Zimbabwe have made a couple of changes. Playing XIs Zimbabwe: Tadiwanashe Marumani, Joylord Gumbie, Dion Myers, Craig Ervine (captain), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Brian Bennett, Clive Madande (wicketkeeper), Faraz Akram, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper/captain), Agha Salman, Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan, Aamer Jamal, Haris Rauf, Faisal Akram, Abrar Ahmed 2.6 – No run.
2.5 – No run. 2.
4 – Holds the length back on the stumps. Saim Ayub punches it towards mid off and runs a single. 2.
3 – Good length outside off. Saim Ayub sees it through after covering the line of the stumps. 2.
2 – FOUR! EFFORTLESS! Blessing Muzarabani drops the length back at the left-hander with the square leg inside the circle and Saim Ayub gets back in the crease and pulls the ball all along the ground, timing it to perfection and beating square leg to his left for the first boundary of the inning. 2.1 – No run.
Just the one over for Raza in his opening spell. He is replaced by Blessing Muzarabani. 1.
6 – POn the good length on top of off. Abdullah Shafique takes a small foot out and drops the ball back to the bowler to end the over. Batsman_1 : Abdullah Shafique 0(2) Batsman_2 : Saim Ayub 4(10) Bowler : Richard Ngarava 0/3(1) Over : 2 Run : 3 Wicket : 0 Score : 4/0 1.
5 – Hits the length hard outside off. Saim Ayub punches the ball to the right of mid off and runs a comfortable single. 1.
4 – Touch fuller on the off stump. Saim Ayub connects with the drive time but is straight to point. 1.
3 – No run. 1.2 – On the length outside off.
Saim Ayub sees it through from the crease. 1.1 – Runs in hard from over the wicket angle and pitches the ball fuller on the stumps with a hint of inswing.
Saim Ayub flicks it well infront of fine leg and runs a quick couple to start the over. It will be Richard Ngarava to steam in from the other end. He is starting with two slips in place.
0.6 – Much fuller from over the wicket angle to the right-hander. Abdullah Shafique offers a front foot block to end the over.
Batsman_1 : Abdullah Shafique 0(1) Batsman_2 : Saim Ayub 1(5) Bowler : Sikandar Raza 0/1(1) Over : 1 Run : 1 Wicket : 0 Score : 1/0 0.5 – 1 run. 0.
4 – No run. 0.3 – On the stumps, straight with the arm after pitching.
Saim Ayub gets an inside edge straight to square leg off the front foot. 0.2 – Tossed up on off.
Saim Ayub punches it off the front foot to mid off. 0.1 – Comes from around the wicket and drops it short outside off.
Saim Ayub cuts the ball off the back foot but straight to covers to start the game. All in readiness to get going in the series decider. PITCH REPORT – Aamir Sohail is near the deck.
He says that there is a nice breeze blowing across the ground. Feels that the rain will stay away. Tells that this was the same pitch which was used in the last game.
Shares that it has been sunny over the last couple of days and therefore, he reckons that there will not be much moisture in the deck. Feels that finger spinners will get some purchase because the surface is on the drier side. Ends by saying that batters will need to be smart and need to have a method in going about their business.
For Pakistan, all eyes will be on Saim Ayub, who smashed a quick century in the last match and has been in the form of his life, carrying momentum from the Australia series. His opening partner, Abdullah Shafique, is equally vital, coming off a steady, unbeaten knock in the second game. In the middle order, captain Mohammad Rizwan will look to anchor the innings and deliver a captain’s knock that he’s long overdue.
Haris Rauf, Pakistan’s pace spearhead, will be expected to make a mark and he will be hoping for support from Aamer Jamal and Abrar Ahmed. Hello, folks, we have arrived at the decider of this exciting series. With the series tied 1-1, the third and final ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo is upon us.
The stage is set, though the weather could play spoilsport, as it did in the opening game, but we hope to get a full match for this decider. ..
. MATCH DAY ..
. Sean Williams is up for a chat. He talks about the preparations being on point for the team for this series and the lads have the belief to win the series.
He further adds that he makes time for ice baths and cold water therapy which helps him stay focused and is a very good way for him to relax after games. He talks about his batting average being right up there with some of the best players in the world and he feels proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with them. Pakistan (Unchanged Playing XI) – Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Irfan Khan, Aamer Jamal, Haris Rauf, Faisal Akram, Abrar Ahmed.
Zimbabwe (Playing XI) – Tadiwanashe Marumani, Joylord Gumbie, Dion Myers, Craig Ervine (C), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Brian Bennett, Clive Madande (WK) (In for Brandon Mavuta), Faraz Akram (In for Trevor Gwandu), Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani. Craig Ervine, the captain of Zimbabwe says that they anyway wanted to bowl first. Adds that it has been hard to read the conditions and feels that the wicket will not change much.
Tells that they want to put it all together and play well. Mentions that they haven’t beaten Pakistan in an ODI series and this is an exciting opportunity for them to create history. Informs that they have two changes with Clive Madande coming in for Brandon Mavuta and Faraz Akram comes in for Trevor Gwandu.
The captain of Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan says that they are looking to bat first as the same wicket was used in the last game and feels that batting fourth on this wicket will not be easy. He further adds that they have given 5 new faces chances in this series and they are going with the same team, giving the guys another chance to perform for the country. TOSS – Pakistan have won the flip of the coin and they will BAT first.
After the hosts triumphed in a rain-affected series opener, Pakistan hit back with a dominant performance in the second game and now have momentum on their side. Can they capitalize on that momentum and clinch the series, or will Zimbabwe step up to the challenge and secure a rare series victory against the Asian side? Stay tuned as we bring you the toss and team updates. Zimbabwe have a relatively inexperienced top order, but players like Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, and their captain, Craig Ervine, are the key figures in the middle order.
Each of them has played more than 100 ODIs and will be eager to score big in this finale to bring the trophy home. In the bowling department, Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava bring the experience and pace needed to trouble the Pakistani batters. Notably, Ngarava has also proven that he is no mug with the bat, showcasing his skills through a crucial knock of 48 in the first match.
With the Champions Trophy 2025 on the horizon, teams are gearing up for ODI cricket’s ultimate stage. Here, the spotlight falls on the final showdown between Zimbabwe and Pakistan, with the series tied 1-1. Stakes couldn’t be higher as both teams fight for pride and momentum in this thrilling decider.
Pakistan, the probable hosts of the Champions Trophy, arrive on the back of a morale-boosting 2-1 series win against Australia. But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing here. A rain-hit opening game saw them stumble to a disappointing defeat.
However, the Men in Green roared back in style with a stunning 10-wicket victory in the second match. Saim Ayub’s scintillating century in that chase has infused fresh confidence into the side, especially after their batting collapse in the opener. With Babar Azam rested, skipper Mohammad Rizwan shoulders the responsibility of guiding the young guns.
Abdullah Shafique, Tayyab Tahir, and Kamran Ghulam have shown promise, but it’s time to translate potential into performance. All-rounder Aamer Jamal remains a key player, contributing with both bat and ball, while spinners Abrar Ahmed and Salman Agha have emerged as game-changers in this series. Can Haris Rauf and the bowling unit deliver the knockout punch? Zimbabwe, on the other hand, have had a mixed campaign.
After a resounding win in the first ODI, they were blown away in the second. Their batting remains a concern, overly reliant on Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, and the ever-reliable Sikandar Raza. The top order, featuring Dion Myers, Joylord Gumbie, and Tadiwanashe Marumani, must step up if they are to challenge Pakistan’s bowlers.
Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava form a potent pace duo capable of rattling even the best. Brian Bennett’s quick-fire cameos could prove decisive, but the X-factor remains Raza. Zimbabwe’s fortunes often mirror his performances, and they’ll need his magic to upset the odds.
It all boils down to this. Can Zimbabwe script a fairytale ending? Or will Pakistan assert their dominance to seal the series? A high-stakes thriller awaits – brace yourself for an unforgettable finale!.
