Zimbabwe vs Pakistan, 1st ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Series: Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe, 2018 Venue: Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo Date & Time: Jul 13, 09:15 AM LOCAL

Imam ul Haq completed his second ODI ton © AFP

Pakistan win by 201; go 1-0 up

Shambolic doesn't even begin to describe that Zimbabwe performance. They've been bowled for 107. They've lost by 201. This is a side that's been hit hard by off-field matters. But they can't hang on to those excuses while out on field. They'll have to much better, really fast.

Here's hoping they take that first step towards improvement in the next game. Until then. Good bye!

Shadab takes three

This is a horror show from Zimbabwe. Shadab Khan's variation is too much for Zimbabwe to pick. Donald Tiripano and Wellington Masakadza are bowled by the googly while Liam Roche hits one straight down the throat of long on. Disappointing.

Faheem gets another; Zimbabwe five down

Turning into a procession now. Peter Moor goes chasing after one on the fourth-stump line, edges and is caught in the slips.

Four down now; Zimbabwe in trouble

Tarisai Musakanda had looked the best of Zimbabwe's batsman, striking four fours in his 21. But a search for his fifth boundary has brought about his downfall. Looks to flat-bat a Faheem Ashraf delivery that's not all that full and finds mid-on.

That dismissal is followed quickly by the fall of Chamu Chibhabha who was looking uncertain all through. Unfortunately for him, he gets a nip-backer from Hasan Ali and sees his leg stump go for a walk. 53/4

Double strike: Usman rocks Zimbabwe early

A wicket for Usman off the first ball. Brian Chari looks to pull this pacy delivery. Finds square leg and then takes a look at the bottom of his bat. The damage has been done.

Shinwari should have had a second wicket straight away when Masakadza gloved a ball to the keeper but he has his man an over later when the Zimbabwe captain chips one tamely to mid-wicket.

Innings break: Pakistan score 308

A big chase awaits the inexperienced Zimbabwe batsmen. They started well but didn't have the strength with their backup bowling to sustain the pressure. Pakistan lost a flurry of wickets in an attempt to push the scoring rate. 308 a bit too much for Zimbabwe to chase, you reckon?

A breezy debut innings from Asif Ali

Pakistan have been on the lookout for some lower-order muscle and Asif Ali's inclusion has been seen as a move to address that area. If so, he's made a good first impression. His striking straight over the straight boundaries - towards long on and long off - has been particularly good.

His 46 off 25 has taken Pakistan closer to that 300-score.

222 48

While we await the team sheets from Bulawayo, it's worth reminding us of the quagmire that Zimbabwe cricket has slipped into. The financial situation has rid the team of all its top stars. Maybe the cricket on the field can offer some solace.

Just to paint a picture of just how far Zimbabwe have slipped, here's a recall from some of their fine days from the 1999 World Cup. My colleague, Bharath reminds me that their win over South Africa was even better. Unfortunately YouTube seems to have some privacy settings on that video.

Teams:

Usman Khan will play today. He has played only two ODIs, one of which yielded a five-fer! Meanwhile, Babar Azam has returned from his injury.

Pakistan (Playing XI): Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed(w/c), Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Usman Khan

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Chamu Chibhabha, Brian Chari, Hamilton Masakadza(c), Tarisai Musakanda, Peter Moor, Ryan Murray(w), Donald Tiripano, Liam Nicholas Roche, Wellington Masakadza, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani

Prelude

It's been a while since we saw the men in green in the 50-over format. Since they won the Champions Trophy last June, they've been part of two blankings - one they handed to Sri Lanka and then the other in which they found themselves at the receiving end of New Zealand's fire.

Just under a year to go for the World Cup, Sarfraz Ahmed and Mickey Arthur will now begin work to prepare for the showpiece event. Zimbabwe, in this form, may not be ideal opponents but Pakistan will have the free hand to try different players and combinations. And also register their first ODI win of 2018!

Yasir Shah and Junaid Khan have been handed a ODI lifeline. Can they make a mark? We'll wait and see.