Pakistan thrash Zimbabwe in 3rd ODI

Pakistan celebrate…A hapless Zimbabwe side ran into red-hot Pakistan in the third ODI in Bulawayo, turning in a performance that made the first two games look like heroic over-achievement.

Pakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf bagged a career-best five for 22 as Pakistan thrashed Zimbabwe in the 3rd ODI on Wednesday at Bulawayo.

The hosts were bowled out on their lowest ever score (67) against Pakistan, and the lowest ever recorded in 78 ODIs at Queens Sports Club.

Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bat first, but Pakistan struck after just one over.

Opener Prince Masvaure, caught out by a lifter from Usman Khan, left Zimbabwe were under the gun on 1 for 1. The hosts were wobbling at 26 for 3 but worse was to come when Ashraf came on as first change in the 10th over.

He quickly had Peter Moor brilliantly caught in the slips by Babar Azam before trapping Chamu Chibhabha leg before wicket with a skidding full delivery. He then had Elton Chigumbura caught behind and bowled Ryan Murray as Zimbabwe slipped to a perilous 54 for 8.

Tailenders Wellington Masakadza and Blessing Muzarabani clung on for seven overs, but legspinner Shadab Khan eventually removed Muzarabani with a googly and Ashraf then returned to end the innings with a pinpoint yorker.

That delivery clean bowled no. 11 Richard Ngarava, giving Ashraf his maiden international five-wicket haul.

Chasing the low total, Pakistan have a horrible start as the opener Imam ul Haq went back to the pavilion without troubling the scorer.

However, Pakistan easily chased the target in 9.5 overs thanks to Fakhar’s quick 43 and Babar’s calculated 19.

With this victory, Pakistan now have an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. – brecorder.com