Zimbabwe vs Pakistan, 1st match at Harare, Jul 01 2018 - Match Result

1.14pm That is that. Pakistan, the No.1 T20I side, have brushed off the depleted hosts. Kyle Jarvis, who had injured his bowling hand in the first innings, will not bat. The injury occured in the 14th over of the innings, when Fakhar Zaman hoicked a delivery from Ryan Burl into the leg side. Sprinting around the boundary from wide long-on, Jarvis dived to his right attempting to hold onto a low catch. The difficult chance was spilled, and it was immediately apparent that Jarvis had suffered an injury when he collapsed in pain and signalled to the team physio, who rushed onto the field. Jarvis was taken to hospital and X-rayed for a suspected broken bone in his right thumb. Mind you, Zimbabwe are already without five frontline players, including Cremer and Raza.

Musakanda, the debutant, provided the lone source of resistance for Zimbabwe in the chase with an eye-catching 43. The inexperienced batting line-up has plenty of work to do if they are to even compete in this tri-series against Pakistan and Australia. All the Pakistan bowlers had a good workout under the Harare sun. Do stick around for the presentations

Hamilton Masakadza, Zimbabwe captain: Only bright point was winning the toss. They had a good Powerplay and put us under pressure. Yeah, I thought we have them 20 runs extra. They guys filled in okay but we lost our way a bit the middle period.

Sarfraz Ahmed, Pakistan captain: First of all thanks to almighty Allah. The way Zaman, Asif, and Malik did the job for us...It looked like a good batting pitch. The ball did not come on in the first innings, but in the second it came on nicely. Credit goes to the bowlers, especially Usman and Nawaz. Plenty of cricket to be played in the series. Hopefully, we will do well.

Asif Ali is the Player of the Match

Outkast: "Poor Zimbabwe! Well done Pakistan! I agree with you @Thabani. Zimbabwe really don't have much of a choice now but to blood in the youngsters. Mire, Hami and Chigumbura are seniors, but together they simply have to contribute at least 5 overs with the ball: Murray(wk), Kamunhukamwe, Chari, Hami(c), Musakanda, Chigumbura, Mire, Chisoro, Jarvis, Magarira, Muzarabani"

That's a wrap of this game. Many thanks for your warm company and comments. Looking forward to your company tomorrow as well. Until then, this is Deivarayan Muthu signing off on the behalf of Thilak Ram. Cheers

Jeremy Braund: "RE Hanif: "Par score is 200" Is it? What I love about PSL is the lack of 200+ scores you get in IPL, BBL etc. Over the past 2 or 3 years Pakistani bowlers have become used to regularly defending totals of under 150 - which international batsmen get to chase, of course! Even if international par scores have gone up a little, it's nothing Pakistan can't manage!"

Hafeez

Muhammad Arslan: "@Hanif: Despite everything you say that Pakistan needs to cope up with the best teams in the world, remember that Pakistan is No.1 Team and they beat all these best teams to be the best. If you can do that, who cares you need 200+ every game. All you need is the winning formula which definitely Pakistan have at the moment !"

Chisoro joins Burl

Usman Khan returns.

Hanif: "Yes Pakistan are number 1 in T20Is, but par score is 200 now in T20s. They cope up through their versatile bowling attack, but they would be found wanting against daunting batting lineups like SA, Ind and Eng. They just Cannot rely on Malik alone to bail them out each and every time."

Hamid Khan: "I hope the team management gives Sahibzada Farhan at least 2 games if not more. Hafeez has done well for Pakistan cricket but I think it's the time we move forward and think for the future"

Ashraf, over the stumps

Outkast: "Huge wicket! Elton Chigumbura pasted Pakistan in Paskistan? They seem to have found a way to deal with him in Zimbabwe? Or...is it just a failure to remain focused apply the basics - watch the ball or single to get off strike?"