da jogodeouro： Zimbabwe’s losing streak became ‘unlucky’ 13 as theypredictably lost to Pakistan by a wide margin of 106 by runsin the Khaleej Times Trophy Sunday at the Sharjah Stadium
Rehan Siddiqui29-Oct-2001Zimbabwe’s losing streak became ‘unlucky’ 13 as theypredictably lost to Pakistan by a wide margin of 106 by runsin the Khaleej Times Trophy Sunday at the Sharjah Stadium.The defeat virtually condemned Zimbabwe out of Sunday’sfinal.They will have to win their last two matches by massivemargins, a big ask from a side which has neither bowling norbatting resources to achieve that impossible task.A victory for Zimbabwe was never on cards after the Africannation allowed Pakistan to an almost unbeatable total of 279considering their batting limitations.As it happened Zimbabwe were bowled out for 173 in 39.1overs with only Andy Flower (51) and Stuart Carlisle showingresistance against a Pakistan attack that was nothing morethan modest.The early loss of the openers, Doug Marillier and GrantFlower, with just five runs on the board pushed Zimbabwe onthe back foot.Though the third wicket stand between Andy Flower andCarlisle raised hopes of a fight back but once the pair wereseparated by a needless run out of the latter it was allover bar shouting.From 112 for three Zimbabwe plunged to nine for 146 withspinners Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi – later named Manof-the-Match – shared five wickets as Zimbabwe middle ordercaved in without fight.Pakistan should have wrapped up the match much earlier ifAbdur Razzaq had not dropped a regulation catch offered byHeath Streak and Rashid Latif missed a regulation stumpingto remove Travis Friend.Earlier, taking optimum advantage of a mediocre Zimbabweattack Pakistan batsmen found some sort of form to post ahealthy looking 279 for six after Waqar Younis again won thetoss and decided to bat first.A sparse crowd, not more than a few hundred, saw ShahidAfridi (67) and Saeed Anwar (64) put on 91 for the secondwicket to lay the foundation of a huge total.Shahid and Saeed having failed against Sri Lanka batted withconfidence specially the former who clubbed five sixes andthree fours in his 81-ball innings.Saeed, who was more sedate, was bowled going for a big hit.He also hit a six and six fours and faced 80 deliveries.However, the real fireworks were provided by Abdur Razzaqand Wasim Akram in the slog overs.Razzaq appeared on his way to getting the fastest 50 but wasrun out by a direct throw from Zimbabwe skipper BrianMurphy.Razzaq had earlier struck the biggest six of the tournament,sending the ball soaring out of the ground and into theadjoining football field. His 46-ball gem contained twosixes and two fours.Later Wasim, the former captain, struck out lustily in thefinal two overs to score a rapid unbeaten 22 off only 14balls that contained two sixes and a one four.Monday is a rest day with Sri Lanka slated to meet ZimbabweTuesday.