Hassan, Fawad help Pakistan take 1-0 lead over Zimbabwe

HARARE – Pakistan registered a comprehensive victory by an innings and 116 runs against Zimbabwe and went 1-0 up in the two-match Test series at Harare Sports Club on Saturda.

Pakistan rode on the foundation laid by Fawad Alam (140) and Imran Butt (91), which helped them set a first-innings lead of 250 runs. The visitors wrapped the Zimbabwe innings for 134 runs with a sensational bowling display led by Hassan Ali who took a five-for in the second innings.

After the resumption of the third day’s play, Hassan couldn’t extend on the previous day's start and immediately lost his wicket to Blessing Muzarabani, caught by the keeper.

Unfortunately for Pakistan, Fawad had started running out of partners at the other end. The pressure eventually cost him his wicket. A fabulous inning of 140 off 204 balls from him was studded with 20 fours, which came to an end when he edged the ball to Regis Chakabva.

The Pakistani lower middle order was dealt by Muzarbani who finished with a four-wicket haul with Fawad becoming his final victim as Pakistan were bowled out  for 426/10.

Zimbabwe batting line-up could sense the tremor of collapse that took them down in the first innings. Coming in behind with a trail of 250 runs, they were provided with a decent start by the openers Tarisai Musakanda and Kevin Kasuza with a 48-run stand.

Despite lapses in the field and dropped chances, Pakistan's bowling attack led by Hassan Ali continued to apply force over the hapless Zimbabwe batters. Kasuza became Hasan’s first wicket of the day, out leg before wicket for 28.

Milton Shumba, batting at number three, couldn’t dent the lead and went cheaply for 4 to Nauman Ali. Musakanda was accompanied by his captain Brendan Taylor who came out with an aggressive mindset. He smashed a quick 33-ball 29 but was dismissed when Hasan completed a brilliant catch running backward from deep mid-off.

The Zimbabwe batters fell like dominos.They went from 92/2 to 134/9, their second innings wrapped in the span of 46.2 overs. 

As Prince Masvaure was injured, he couldn’t come out to bat, with Pakistan sealing the victory with an innings and 116 runs.

Hasan Ali was the pick of the bowlers and registered his career-best figures of 5/36 in a Test innings, taking a total of nine scalps in the match. He also crossed the milestone of 50 Test wickets. –ICC