It did not take Pakistan long to pick up the last wicket and wrap up the series with an innings-and-147-run victory over Zimbabwe. With Luke Jongwe’s dismissal, Shaheen Shah Afridi became the third speedster after Nauman Ali and Hasan Ali to claim a five-for in the game.
However, the foundation of this mammoth victory was laid earlier by a marathon 215 from Abid Ali, who showed class and composure en route to his maiden double hundred. Ridiculed on social media for celebrating his fifty in the first match, Abid provided a fitting to the naysayers.
Abid’s innings has erased all doubts over his ability to perform as an opener in a greater context. Even when Pakistan suffered a mini-collapse in between, triggered by Blessing Muzarabani, Abid held his nerves and forged an important partnership with Nauman.
Nauman was the other star of the match, with both bat and the ball. His blitz propelled Pakistan to 510/8 in the first innings, and his five-for knocked Zimbabwe out of the Test match.
Zimbabwe’s batting unit never seemed to be in a position to put up a fight. Regis Chakabva and Jongwe were the only two players to have crossed the double-digit mark in both innings. Other than that, the rest of them succumbed without a fight.
Pakistan bowled them out for 132 in the first innings and enforced a follow-on. Zimbabwe’s openers Kevin Kasuza and Tarisai Musakanda once again failed to provide them with a decent start. Chakabva, however, stood up to the occasion and played a fluent knock, comprising of 13 fours and two sixes.
Chakabva added 79 runs with Brendan Taylor for the third wicket before falling to Nauman. Brendan Taylor, meanwhile, scored 49 off just 31 deliveries before edging to Mohammad Rizwan behind the stumps. These were the only sizable contributions from Zimbabwe’s batters.
Abid was adjudged as Player of the Match, while Hasan Ali bagged the Player of the Series trophy. He picked up 14 wickets in two games.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan 510/8 decl. (Abid Ali 215*, Azhar Ali 126; Blessing Muzarabani 3-82) beat Zimbabwe 132 (Regis Chakabva 33; Hasan Ali 5-27) and 231 (Regis Chakabva 80; Shaheen Shah Afridi 5-52, Nauman Ali 5-86) by an innings and 147 runs. Player of the Match: Abid Ali.
Pakistan won series 2-0. Player of the Series: Hasan Ali.