1st ODI: Zimbabwe v Pakistan at Bulawayo, 23 Nov 2002 John Ward |
Pakistan innings:
Pre-game: Zimbabwe innings: |
Zimbabwe struck an early blow, as Taufeeq Umar, after taking a single from Andy Blignaut’s first over, faced Sean Ervine, opening the bowling in a one-day international for the first time. Taufeeq tried to turn the first ball to leg and was found plumb lbw.
Stuart Matsikenyeri almost made his mark on international cricket within minutes of stepping on to the field, a direct hit almost running out Yousuf Youhana as the batsmen stole a leg-bye. After that the batsmen settled down and Ervine was probably kept on too long, conceding 41 runs in his six overs. Youhana was in masterly form, reaching his fifty off 52 balls, while Saleem Elahi followed with his off 65 balls.
Richie Sims bowled quite an impressive first spell of off-spin in international cricket, but made his mark first by picking up a mistimed slash at backward point off Grant Flower to dismiss Saleem for 53. Pakistan were 127 for two.
When Inzamam-ul-Haq came in the scoring rate hardly slowed, and Zimbabwe called on eight bowlers to try to halt the momentum. Yousuf batted relentlessly onward, reaching his century off 110 balls and rarely seeming hurried, apart from when he chose to assert his authority over Sims with two big sixes. He was immediately dropped at midwicket off a very hard chance to Grant Flower.
For the most part the batsmen were content to work the ball around the field, scoring ones and twos almost at will. Inzamam’s fifty came off 55 balls, as Zimbabwe were unable to provide any threat, although as often Grant Flower was the most economical. Inzamam fell for 55, hitting the expensive Olonga straight down the throat of Blignaut at long-on; Pakistan were 236 for three after another century partnership.
Shahid Afridi scored only four before holing out to long leg off Grant Flower in the latter’s last over; he conceded only 33 runs off his ten overs. Younis Khan (33 not out off 18 balls) continued the onslaught, and Pakistan finished with 302 for four wickets. Yousuf Youhana, in from the second over, took out his bat for 141 off 147 balls, with three sixes and 13 fours, his best one-day effort and likely to prove a match-winning effort.
This match was designated as a warm-up for the World Cup, with all the elaborate security arrangements now universally required by the ICC in operation. Most Zimbabweans consider them totally ludicrous and unnecessary; Zimbabwe is still one of the safest places in the world to watch cricket and it is indeed an irony that the country should be considered by many an unsuitable World Cup venue, supposedly for security reasons.
After Pakistan’s straight-forward two-nil victory in the Test series, the odds for the five-match one-day series are clear, and they are against Zimbabwe.
The major gap between the two teams lies in the bowling. Pakistan can field four world-class bowlers in Wasim Akram, returning to the side for this series, captain Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar and Saqlain Mushtaq, and then there is Mohammad Sami to follow. As a sign of their riches, they chose to omit the last two, preferring medium-pacer Azhar Mahmood and the explosive Shahid Afridi to complete their front-line bowling attack.
To match this, Zimbabwe lack the services of Heath Streak, Douglas Hondo and Travis Friend, all injured. Andy Blignaut and Henry Olonga can cause a problem or two, but they are far less consistent than the Pakistani quartet and they often proved erratic during the Tests. Their back-up support is very inexperienced and the Pakistani batsmen will expect to take full advantage.
Zimbabwe actually chose to play three debutants in batsman Stuart Matsikenyeri, who opened with Alistair Campbell, and all-rounders Barney Rogers, a batsman who can bowl off-spin, and Richie Sims, an off-spinner who can bat and recently scored a Logan Cup double-century.
Zimbabwe’s batting has a shorter tail than the Pakistanis’, and with Alistair Campbell and the Flowers in the team, the talent and experience is there, but their challenge is far greater than that presented to the Pakistani batsmen. Pakistan can be expected to win, although Zimbabwe, if their heads and their hearts are totally committed, can challenge the best team in the world. Much will depend on how accurately they can bowl, and how well they are backed up in the field.
The teams are as follows:
Zimbabwe: *Alistair Campbell, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Grant Flower, Andy Flower, Barney Rogers, Craig Evans, Andy Blignaut, Sean Ervine, +Tatenda Taibu, Richie Sims, Henry Olonga.
Pakistan: Taufeeq Umar, Saleem Elahi, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Shahid Afridi, +Kamran Akmal, Wasim Akram, Azhar Mahmood, *Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar.
© CricInfo
Date-stamped : 23 Nov2002 - 18:44