MATCH REVIEW: Pakistan Shaheens Take 1-0 Series Lead As Zimbabwe Lose The First Four-Day Match By 8 Wickets

ASHLEY DUBE

Zimbabwe fell to Pakistan Shaheens by 8 wickets in the first four-day match at Kwekwe Sports Club.

PAKISTAN SHAHEENS WIN FIRST MATCH 1-0 WIN OVER ZIMBABWE A AT KWEKWE SPORTS CLUBE

PIC - ZimCricketv/Twitter

Pakistan Shaheens take a 1-0 series lead. The second four-day match will be played at Mutare Sports Club.

Following a disastrous first innings, in which Zimbabwe A were bundled out for 225 in pursuit of 521, it was manifestly evident that the hosts had an uphill task in securing a win.

The fightback was led by openers Joylord Gumbie and Tanunurwa Makoni who combined to a 125 run stand. Both got half tons before Makoni swiped one outside off and was caught off the bowling of Mohamed Adil for 57.

READ: DAY 2 REVIEW: Pakistan Shaheens Give Zimbabwe 'A' Huge Batting Challenge

Gumbie, who has been in a rich vein of excellent form, got yet another first class hundred in the morning session of Day 4.

He was dismissed for 115 – and thereafter a middle order collapse ensued which left Zimbabwe A reeling at 240-6.

Victory was in sights for Pakistan Shaheens.

However, the lower order batters brought a valiant fight-back to Pakistan with some commendable batting.

Faraz Akram (48), Brandon Mavuta (41) and Tanaka Chivanga (58) all played brilliantly with the bat as Zimbabwe A established a 110 runs lead before they were eventually bowled out for 401 runs.

Pakistan needed 111 runs to win from the 20 overs left for the day; and a draw was seemingly on the cards.

In light of this, the Pakistan batters had a couple of clever ideas as they aggressively chased down the town in 19 overs – with the only blemish being the two wickets lost, courtesy of Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta.

Indeed, the laudable efforts of Zimbabwe A in the second innings must be commended. With certainty, there are some positives to take from the valarous cricketing displays shown by Zimbabwe A.

There is indeed courageous and excellent talent and this bodes well for Zimbabwe Cricket.

It portends good fortunes for the country’s first class cricket; and one eagerly awaits for more gallantry in second four-day match between Zimbabwe A and Pakistan Shaheens in Mutare.

You can read other detailed reviews and takeaways of the Pakistan Shaheens tour to Zimbabwe via this link, and this link.

For real-time updates, fixtures, results, and more, follow @ZimCricketv on Twitter; and matches are live-streamed on Zimbabwe Cricket’s YouTube channel.