Good bowling and some superb fielding saw them unexpectedly restrict Pakistan to 141 runs in their 20 overs, but their batsmen choked at the target, managing only 136, despite a final gallant effort by Tatenda Taibu, who finished unbeaten on 37. Their bogey man was once again Mohammad Hafeez, a man who seems to strike terror into Zimbabwean players’ hearts, as shown by his 51 runs and three wickets in this match.
On another warm sunny day Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat, after their success going in first in their previous match. The pitch was ideal, good for batting but with some life and bounce for the bowlers. The start was not auspicious for the home side. The first ball of the innings was misfielded by Brendan Taylor in the covers, a single resulting, and ten runs came off that rather poor over from Prosper Utseya, a surprise choice to open the bowling.
After that, however, it was Zimbabwe almost all the way throughout the innings. Pakistan hit the ball in the air, only to find the Zimbabwe fielding vastly improved on their previous matches. The catches were taken and three batsmen were out for 34 in the sixth over. However, Hafeez was still there, and despite lack of support at the other end he ran to another 50 off 37 balls. He then skied a ball from Price to long-on and departed for 51. Umar Akmal, who had been his best partner, ran himself out for 28, and the innings eventually closed at 141 for seven. Kyle Jarvis had been the best of the bowlers, with a remarkable three for 14 in his four overs. Zimbabwe now found themselves in with a good chance of victory.
Vusi Sibanda drove the first ball of the Zimbabwe reply straight back down the ground for four. He and Chamu Chibhabha proceeded to play with a confidence that suggested that Zimbabwe believed in themselves and were on course for victory. After four overs the score was 28 without loss, but then both were dismissed in quick succession and the wheels came off with a vengeance. Cephas Zhuwao looked out of his depth; the experienced Hamilton Masakadza and Taylor lost their wickets to soft shots, and Zimbabwe were 72 for six after 13 overs. The team seems to have a deep-set fear of Hafeez, whether he is batting or bowling, as he took three of the wickets.
With Tatenda Taibu and Elton Chigumbura together, Zimbabwe still had a chance, though 53 were still needed off the last five overs with four wickets left. Taibu did not look at ease at first, but Chigumbura played enough good shots to give hope to his team, until he holed out at long-on for 24. Utseya faced five balls without scoring, leaving 29 needed off the final two overs, and 20 off the last. Taibu made a gallant effort and managed to get it down to six needed off the final ball – only for the bowler to put a yorker outside the off stump that Taibu left in expectation of it being called a wide. It was adjudged just legal, justifiably, but it was a disappointing anticlimax and Zimbabwe had lost again.
