Zimbabwe beat Pakistan by 80 runs (DLS method) in the first ODI on Sunday (November 24) at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. As a result, the hosts took an early lead of 1-0 in the three-match ODI series.
Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bowl first in the contest. Their bowling unit performed decently and bundled out the hosts for 205 in 40.2 overs, with Agha Salman and Faisal Akram picking up three wickets each. Richard Ngarava (48) and Sikandar Raza (39) were the top scorers for Zimbabwe in the batting department.
Blessing Muzarabani, Sean Williams, and Sikandar Raza scalped two wickets apiece during the chase. They left Pakistan reeling at 60/6 in 21 overs in the second innings before rain interrupted the proceedings. Persistent showers then forced the match officials to call off the game, with hosts ahead by 80 runs through the DLS method.
Fans enjoyed the first ODI between Zimbabwe and Pakistan on Sunday. They expressed their reactions to the contest by sharing memes on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Here are some of the best reactions:
"Our guys showed the courage"- Sikandar Raza after Zimbabwe's win vs Pakistan in 1st ODI 2024
At the post-match presentation, Zimbabwe player Sikandar Raza received the Player of the Match award for his brilliant all-round performance. Reflecting on the win, he said:
"We were thinking at 250, would've been a good total had we got there. Somebody had to bat out of their skin, but couldn't do it. In international cricket you learn from it, our guys showed the courage, we got those two partnership when needed, but credit to the bowlers and made life tough for the opposition."
He added:
"It was Ngarava, kept saying, you can trust and got those ones and twos, started to find boundaries as well, that gave me confidence. It's a tough ask you being the all-rounder, but you have to be ready to do that for your country. It is expected of you to win the games for your country, I'll try and do to my best of the ability."
The two teams will square off in the second ODI on Tuesday (November 26) at the same venue.
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