The gulf in quality between Zimbabwe and Pakistan was exposed once again as Sarfraz Ahmed’s men ran out comfortable victors by nine wickets in the second ODI at Bulawayo on Monday.
The crushing win means Pakistan have now taken a 2-0 lead in the five-match series after their 201-run win in the first ODI.
On Monday, the hosts gave a much better account of themselves but were still bowled out for just 194 runs. In reply, Pakistan were barely troubled as they raced away to victory in just 36 overs for the loss of a sole wicket.
Here, we take a look at some of the key talking points from the second ODI.
USMAN KHAN AND HASAN ALI SHINE WITH THE BALL
After Zimbabwe elected to bat first, they were put under immediate pressure by the Pakistan pacers with the scoring-rate crawling in the opening overs. As the pressure built up, Usman struck twice for the visitors to have both the openers caught behind in the space of eight overs.
With overcast conditions prevailing throughout the day, the pacers made merry with Hasan Ali joining in on the action. Ali dismissed half-centurion Peter Moor while also accounting for Ryan Murray and Tarisai Musakanda but it was Usman who was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers as he finished with figures of 4-36.
While spearhead Mohammad Amir went wicketless, the seven wickets shared between Usman and Ali ensured that Zimbabwe’s innings never caught any momentum and ultimately withered away.
After 32 ODIs, Hasan Ali has 66 wickets which is most by any fast bowler at this stage of career. Mitchell McClenaghan and Shane Bond had 64 wickets after 32. #ZimvPak
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) July 16, 2018
HAMILTON MASAKADZA LEADS FROM THE FRONT
With a severely depleted squad on his hands, the task of leading Zimbabwe in the series has not been an easy one for Hamilton Masakadza but the skipper showed his ability to lead from the front with a battling half-century.
After both openers were dismissed cheaply, Masakadza brought some semblance of stability in the middle for Zimbabwe. He forged a 62-run stand for the third wicket with Musakanda before going on to register his 34th ODI half-century.
The 34-year-old was eventually dismissed for a 75-ball 59 by Shoaib Malik but his innings, along with a fine 50 from Moor, ensured that the hosts put in a much better display after their timid surrender in the first ODI.
Masakadza led from the front for the hosts.
FAKHAR MAKES SHORT WORK OF TARGET WITH SECOND ODI TON
A total of 194 was always going to be difficult for the severely depleted hosts to defend against a Pakistan side stacked with quality and that proved to be the case as the two openers forged a quick-fire 119-run stand before Imam-ul-Haq was run out once again.
Fakhar Zaman though, continued his rich vein of form to bring up his second ODI hundred as Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled to create any sort of impact.
The left-hander was his characteristic self as he cut and pulled with venom to send the cricket ball to all parts of the ground. He looked in no trouble throughout his unbeaten innings as another thumping win for Pakistan ensued.
Fakhar remained unbeaten on 117 – his highest ODI score – with the help of 16 boundaries.
The Pakistan opener’s excellent form continues.
