2nd Test, Harare, May 07, 2021, 01:00 PM
Pakistan
510/8(147.1ov)
Zimbabwe
132/10(60.4ov) & 231/10(68.0ov)
Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by an innings and 147 runs
Right then, that's all we have from this Pakistan's tour of Zimbabwe. The T20I series was quite competitive and the home team even managed to upset the visitors once. However, in the longer format, the hosts didn't have the wherewithal to compete with Pakistan. Now, there will be a bit of a lull in international cricket from hereon. Do join us when action resumes again. Cheers!
Babar Azam, the skipper of Pakistan, says he is very satisfied with both the series. States the batters did really well and the stand between Azhar and Abid was important as it set the tone and the others kept the good work going. Credits the way Nauman batted towards the end. Babar feels that this inning was very necessary for Abid Ali and it will give him and his team a lot of confidence, especially at the top, in the coming series.
Brendan Taylor, the captain of Zimbabwe, says that he would have liked a bit more positives from this Test. Mentions that they have a lot of things to address, particularly the mental side of the batting and wants more discipline with the bat. Adds that when he went to bat in the second innings, he changed his game plan as Pakistan are very skilful with the ball and surviving while defending would not have been easy, and that's why he decided to attack.
HASAN ALI IS THE PLAYER OF THE SERIES! The speedster says that it's been a good tour for him. Mentions that the pitch wasn't good to bowl as it was getting slower with every passing day. Shares that his plan was to bowl the stump-to-stump line and praises all the bowlers who supported him. Tells that he is very happy and talks about the hard work that he has put in the recent past after returning from injury.
ABID ALI IS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH! The Pakistan opener says that his plan was to form a partnership with Azhar Ali. Tells that the pitch was a bit slow earlier and their attempt was to stay in the middle and maximize the stand. Adds that he has self-belief and succeeded in playing a big knock. Mentions that his knock is a big achievement for him and his family and credits his coaches. Shares that scoring 60 odd runs in the first Test gave him the confidence.
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A couple of positives for Zimbabwe would be the batting of Regis Chakabva where he showed application and desire to spend time in the middle. With the ball, they were more or less flat but the spell with the second new ball from Blessing Muzarabani was exceptional and that had Pakistan in a little spot of bother then. The hosts still have a long way to go in this format and can take the positives from this series and move ahead.
As is the case in Test matches, batsmen can score runs but if the bowlers can't pick 20 wickets, you can't win. Nothing of that sort happened with Pakistan though. Hasan Ali led them superbly in the first innings with yet another fifer in his last few innings. Zimbabwe were shot out for only 132 in reply and were forced to follow-on. There were some counter-attacking knocks from the likes of Chakabva and Taylor in the second essay and the Pakistan spinners bore the brunt of that. However, Nauman Ali bounced back superbly to claim a fifer and destroyed Zimbabwe's middle order. Shaheen Afridi took the responsibility this time around from the pace department and picked up a 5-fer. All in all, a clinical performance by Pakistan to register a big win.
Summarizing this Test match, it was mostly about Abid Ali and his daddy hundred. He showed his character at the top as hitting a double century at any level and against any opposition is not easy. It requires focus and a truckload of patience. Abid showed everything during his 407-ball stay and has emerged as one of the secured options as an opener for Pakistan. Azhar Ali also struck a century to return to his best form and his double century stand with Abid threw Zimbabwe out of this Test match very early. The rest of the work was done by Nauman Ali's quickfire 97 which in a way deflated the hosts completely.
As expected, Pakistan have not taken long to pick the last wicket to seal the Test match and series. Yet another comprehensive victory for them as they handed Zimbabwe an innings defeat once more. Once their batsmen piled up 510 runs in the first innings, the writing was on the wall. The hosts faced an imminent defeat from the third day onward as we already knew about their batting abilities. Still, Zimbabwe could have fought more, something they managed in their second innings but even that was too small a fight to bother the Asian team.
In over# 1
0W
0
0
0
0
1nb
0
Shaheen Afridi 52/5(20)
67.6
W
OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Pakistan finally manage to take the last wicket. Shaheen Afridi it is who also gets a fifer. He will be really pleased with this fifer. The pacer was really frustrated in the first innings as he was struggling to pick up wickets but has comeback brilliantly and finished with career-best figures. Shaheen continued to probe from 'round the wicket angle and served a length ball outside off. It moved away a hint after landing as Jongwe decided to drive away from his body. But all he managed was an outside edge and it's taken by Rizwan. PAKISTAN WIN BY AN INNINGS AND 147 RUNS!
67.5
.
Missing leg! Angled into the pads. Jongwe looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.
67.4
.
Outside off, left alone with ease. The two batters have not looked troubled as of now.
67.3
.
A short one and on middle, it is evaded.
67.2
.
On middle, it is kept out.
67.2
1nb
No ball! Afridi has overstepped. Fuller and around off, Jongwe looks to drive but it goes off the outside edge. Lands well short of second slip.
67.1
.
Beaten! Length and on off, this pitches and then angles away. Jongwe is beaten as he tries to defend.
In over# 1
4
0
0
0
0
0
Tabish Khan 46/0(11)
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