Zimbabwe vs Pakistan || Pakistan Won The First ODI Match Against Zimbabwe By 26 Runs

Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 26 runs in the first match of the three-match ODI series after batsmen thanks to the brilliant performances of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Wahab Riaz.

In the first ODI of the series played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bat first.

Pakistan did not make Fakhr Zaman a part of the final XI in the match while Harris Rauf is playing his first ODI match while making his debut.

Imam-ul-Haq and Abid Ali started the innings for Pakistan and gave the team a good start with 47 runs.

This opening partnership came to an end when Abid Ali was declared LBW after scoring 21 runs.

Babar Azam and Imam added 42 runs to take the score to 89 but on the same score Babar scored 19 runs and gave the wicket to Mazarbani.

Imam-ul-Haq looked in good form and his innings also came to an end as a result of a half-century score but an individual score of 58.

Mohammad Rizwan also could not score more runs and after scoring 14 runs, Chasuro scattered his wickets while Iftikhar Ahmed could also score only 12 runs.

However, from the other end, Haris Sohail completed his half century by batting responsibly but after scoring 71 runs, he gave the wicket to Sikandar Raza.

After that, the duo of Faheem Ashraf and Emad Wasim added 42 runs to keep the team's hopes of reaching a reasonable total alive. Faheem was dismissed for 23 runs.

Emad Waseem hit an unbeaten 34 off 26 balls with two sixes and a four as the national team managed to score 281 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the stipulated 50 overs.

Zimbabwe's Blessing Mazargbani and Tandai Sachuro were the successful bowlers with two wickets each.

Shaheen Shah Afridi got Zimbabwe out of trouble early on and sent both openers to the pavilion with a score of 28. However, Craig Aaron accompanied Taylor to take the team to 99 while Emad Wasim bowled Haris Rauf Williams added 4 runs and gave the wicket to Wahab Riaz.

Taylor and Wesley Medveira tried their best to get their team out of trouble, bringing the score to 234, but Medveira's courage paid off.

Wesley Medvedev scored 55 off 61 balls and was bowled by Wahab Riaz, after which Taylor could not resist and left the team at 240.

Taylor played the biggest innings of the match and scored 112 off 116 balls, including 11 fours and 3 sixes, while Shaheen Afridi took his wicket.

Despite Taylor's best century and Wesley Medveira's half-century, Zimbabwe failed to reach the target of 282 and lost the match by 26 runs.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Viab Riaz bowled brilliantly and took 5 and 4 wickets respectively.

It should be noted that a series of three ODIs will be played between Pakistan and Zimbabwe along with three ODIs.

Both teams consist of these players for the match.

Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Haris Sohail, Muhammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Fame Ashraf, Wahab Riaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Emad Wasim.

Zimbabwe: Chamo Chibaba (captain), Alexander Raza, Brand Taylor, Brian Chari, Tandai Chasuro, Craig Aaron, Wesley Medveira, Carl Mamba, Blessing Mazarbani, Richard Nigarwa and Sean Williams.