Pakistan A cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2023

17 May 2023 09:15 Scorecard

Zimbabwe Select 234 (45.3 overs)	v	Pakistan Shaheens 210 (47 overs)
Ryan Burl 69 (68) Aamer Jamal 4/35 (8 overs)		Mubasir Khan 49 (68) Tendai Chatara 5/37 (9 overs)

Zimbabwe Select won by 24 runs Harare Sports Club, Harare Umpires: Ashby Mutumbami (Zim) and Christopher Phiri (Zim) Player of the match: Tendai Chatara (Zimbabwe Select)

• Pakistan Shaheens won the toss and elected to field.

In preparation for the 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier, the Zimbabwe Select deployed almost everyone from their full roster. However, a strong start by the Shaheens' bowlers led to the dismissal of half the top order, leaving Zimbabwe Select at 64-5. Aamer Jamal emerged as a standout performer in the bowling attack, making a significant impact by capturing three crucial wickets, effectively disrupting the hosts' innings. Ryan Burl, and Clive Madande then stepped in at number 6 and 7, forming a resilient partnership that added 90 runs to the scoreboard. As a result, the Zimbabwe Select team managed to set a more defendable target of 234 runs.[11][12]

Despite the Shaheens' stronger position going into the second innings, their top order encountered a similar fate and succumbed to the bowling of Tendai Chatara during the powerplay. This restricted the Shaheens' score to 105-5. Haseebullah Khan and Mubasir Khan displayed stability as they batted at positions 6 and 7, bringing the Shaheens closer to victory. However, neither batsman was able to achieve a half-century milestone. Chatara, continuing his exceptional bowling spell, claimed two more wickets from the lower order, ultimately ending the Shaheens' innings at 210. His outstanding performance earned him a five-wicket haul and the well-deserved title of Player of the Match.[11][12]

19 May 2023 09:15 Scorecard

Zimbabwe Select 236 (38.5 overs)	v	Pakistan Shaheens 156 (37.3 overs)
Blessing Muzarabani 50 (24) Aamer Jamal 5/75 (10 overs)		Imran Butt 45 (81) Blessing Muzarabani 4/22 (6.3 overs)

Zimbabwe Select won by 80 runs. Harare Sports Club, Harare Umpires: David Shawane (Zim) and Forster Mutizwa Player of the match: Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwe Select)

• Pakistan Shaheens won the toss and elected to field.

Both teams maintained the same roster as the first game, with one change for the Zimbabwe Select team, substituting Brad Evans with Victor Nyauchi. The Zimbabwe side batted first once again, and they encountered a similar start to their previous game as the top order crumbled within the first 13 overs, leaving the team at 57-5. Ryan Burl and Clive Madande once again formed a resilient partnership, contributing 47 and 43 runs respectively, elevating the team's total to 145. Notably, the highest-scoring batsman for the Zimbabwe Select team was Blessing Muzarabani, who remarkably achieved his first List-A half-century in just 24 deliveries while batting at number 11. The Zimbabwe innings concluded when Tendai Chatara was caught out, but the bowling duo managed to surpass their previous game's total by 2 runs. In a repeat of his stellar performance, Aamer Jamal once again shone for the Shaheens, claiming a five-wicket haul and solidifying his status as the star performer of the match.[13]

Although the Shaheens had a stronger start, they too experienced a setback by losing five wickets consecutively, resulting in the team's score at 5-71. However, opening batsman and captain Imran Butt showcased resilience against the Zimbabwe Select bowling attack, contributing 45 runs before being dismissed through an lbw decision. Following the captain's departure, the Shaheens' lower order struggled, eventually being bowled out for 156. Undoubtedly, Blessing Muzarabani's outstanding performance, featuring a half-century with the bat and a four-wicket haul with the ball, played a pivotal role in guiding the team to victory. His exceptional contributions earned him the well-deserved title of Player of the Match.[13]