Pakistan Shaheens vs Zimbabwe Select Archives

Aizaz Cheema reviews Pakistan Shaheens performance in Zimbabwe

Head coach of Pakistan Shaheens Aizaz Cheema reflected upon his side’s performance amid their busy Zimbabwe Tour where they played two four-day four-dayers and six 50-over matches from 3 to 27 May 2023.

Pakistan Shaheens put on a dominant show in the two-match four-day series as they blew Zimbabwe Select 2-0. Omair Bin Yousuf, Muhammad Huraira, Haseebullah Khan, Mohammad Ali and Mehran Mumtaz were the star performers for the visitors.

In the six-match One-Day series, however, Pakistan Shaheens coped with a tough assignment as Zimbabwe Select line-up consisted of the first-choice players representing the national side, as they viewed the limited-overs series as a chance to prepare themselves for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023, set to take place in Zimbabwe from 18 June to 9 July.

Consequently, Zimbabwe Select managed to make the most of the experience of their first-choice players and home advantage and outclassed Pakistan Shaheens to take the series 4-2.

Despite a dismal show in the one-day series, Pakistan Shaheens’ head coach Aizaz Cheema lent his support to the young players, who stood out in the month-long Zimbabwe tour.

“I am extremely proud of the young players in the Pakistan Shaheens team who showcased their skills and potential during the tour. In the two four-dayers, players like Mehran Mumtaz, Omair Bin Yousuf, Mohammad Huraira, and Haseebullah displayed exceptional performances, contributing significantly to our victories. It was a great testament to their talent and dedication to the game,” said Aizaz Cheema in a press release by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The former pacer, however, expressed his disappointment over the inability of Pakistan Shaheens to capitalise during the crucial moments and termed it a big factor behind the team’s defeat in the white-ball series.

“However, I am disappointed with our performance in the six-match 50-over series against Zimbabwe Select, where we lost 4-2. As a team, we couldn’t perform to our full potential and failed to capitalise on the opportunities presented to us. Had we seized those chances, the outcome could have been different. It was a missed opportunity, and we will work on rectifying our mistakes and improving our team cohesion.

Aizaz Cheema then went on to acknowledge the top performers for Pakistan Shaheens with Omair Bin Yousuf, Muhammad Huraira, Haseebullah Khan, Mohammad Ali and Mehran Mumtaz receiving the special mention from their head coach.

“I must acknowledge the impressive performance of our fast bowlers, who consistently picked up wickets during the 50-over series. Their contributions were instrumental in keeping us in the game and putting pressure on the opposition. In the batting department, Omair Bin Yousuf, Mubasir Khan, and Qasim Akram stood out with their run-scoring abilities, showcasing their potential for the future.

“We will analyse our performances, identify areas for improvement, and work tirelessly to strengthen our team’s performance. The Zimbabwe tour has provided valuable lessons and experiences for our young players, and we will use these as stepping stones towards future success. Pakistan Shaheens team is determined to bounce back stronger and continue to develop and groom talented players for the senior national side.”

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Zimbabwe Select thrash Pakistan Shaheens to seal series win

HARARE: Mubasir Khan’s fighting century failed to trump Craig Ervine’s marathon 195-run knock as Zimbabwe Select thrash Pakistan Shaheens by 32-run in the sixth one-day to seal the six-match series 4-2.

Set to chase a mammoth 386, Pakistan Shaheens’ batters showcased a valiant effort in the pursuit but ended up 32 runs short as they were bundled out for 353 in the final over despite Mubasir Khan’s century.

Pakistan Shaheens had a dismal start to the run chase as they were three down for just 50 runs in the 10th over.

Following the early setback, wicketkeeper batter Rohail Nazir and skipper Kamran Ghulam launched the recovery as the pair stitched a gritty 108-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

They were looking in control until Luke Jongwe got rid of Kamran Ghulam briefly after the captain amassed his half-century. He struck 56 in 47 deliveries, hitting six boundaries and a six.

Rohail Nazir then received another strong firm at the other end as Mubasir Khan joined him in the middle after Ghulam’s dismissal and they put on another vital partnership for Pakistan Shaheens.

The duo of Nazir and Khan added 98 runs to the team’s total at a brisk rate but Sean Williams dented their expedition with a timely blow by removing the former, who fell just 13 runs short of his well-deserved century.

Nazir smashed six boundaries and three sixes on his way to a 91-ball 87.

Mubasir Khan stood his ground firm while Pakistan Shaheens’ lower order batters failed to lend significant support to the young batter at the backend and thus the former fell short of propelling his side to glory despite a brilliant century knock, which ended in the final over.

Mubasir Khan top scored for Pakistan Shaheens with a quickfire 115 off just 77 balls, laced up with six boundaries and eight sixes.

Sikandar Raza led the bowling charge of Zimbabwe Select with 3/66, followed by Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga and Jongwe, who took two wickets each.

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Zimbabwe Select thwarted Pakistan Shaheens’ bowlers as they piled up a humongous total on the scoreboard at the back of an astonishing knock by Craig Ervine.

The home side had a contrasting start to their innings after they were put into bat first as Zimbabwe Select lost an early wicket on the second delivery of the innings after Mohammad Ali dismissed Joylord Gumbie for a duck.

Following an early hiccup, Craig Ervine and Innocent Kaia launched the recovery as the pair built a strong partnership for the second wicket.

The duo of Craig Ervine and Innocent Kaia added 187 runs to the total before Mohammad Ali struck again in the 28th over and devoided Kaia of his well-deserved hundred.

Kaia fell just eight runs short of the landmark as he scored a brisk 92 off just 79 deliveries, laced up with 10 boundaries and three sixes.

Meanwhile, Craig Ervine stood his ground firm after Kaia’s dismissal and stitched brief partnerships with Sikandar Raza (15), Sean Williams (20), and Wessly Madhevere (8) before finally receiving significant support from Ryan Burl.

The sixth-wicket partnership between Craig Ervine and Ryan Burl (31 off 18) changed the momentum of the game as the duo added 71 runs in just 34 deliveries until both perished in the final over.

Craig Ervine smashed 22 boundaries and six sixes on his way to a magnificent 195 runs in just 148 deliveries.

For Pakistan Shaheens, Aamer Jamal and Mohammad Ali bagged two wickets each while Qasim Akram and Mehran Mumtaz struck out a batter each.

Pakistan Shaheens opt to bowl in sixth one-day against Zimbabwe Select

HARARE: Pakistan Shaheens have won the toss and elected to field first against Zimbabwe Select in the sixth one-day of the six-game series here at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

Watch Pakistan Shaheens vs Zimbabwe-A Live Match Today – Live on ARY ZAP

PLAYING XIs

Pakistan Shaheens: Imran Butt, Haseebullah Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Kamran Ghulam (c), Mubasir Khan, Qasim Akram, Rohail Nazir, Mehran Mumtaz, Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani.

Zimbabwe A: Innocent Kaia, Wessly Madhevere, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams (c), Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Joylord Gumbie, Brandon Mavuta, Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga.

Akram’s fifty gives Shaheens close win over Zimbabwe Select in third one-day

HARARE: All-rounder Qasim Akram played a heroic knock of 57 not out to steer Pakistan to a narrow win against Zimbabwe Select in the third match of the six-game one-day series on Sunday.

Shaheens were five runs ahead of the target as per the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method when bad lights stopped the play at the Harare Sports Club.

Chasing 279 runs, Shaheen scored 263/8 in 46.5 overs with the help of excellent knocks from Akram and wicket-keeper Haseebullah Khan, who made 49 from 60 balls.

Akram, however, held the fort and scripted a sensational comeback for his side after the hosts reduced Shaheens to 169/6 in the 34th over.

He gathered 68 runs with fellow spinner Mubasir Khan (30) on the seventh wicket and continued to play his shots despite fading lights.

Earlier, Sean Williams’ played an excellent knock of 78 runs to help Zimbabwe Select post a massive 279-run target.

Electing to bowl first, Shaheens were unable to contain runs despite an electrifying start given by Shahnawaz Dahani in his very first over.

He dismissed opener Joylord Gumbie on a paltry one and went on to take three more wickets to finish with brilliant figures four for 43 in his full quota of 10 overs.

All-rounder Aamer Jamal, on the other hand, bagged three wickets while offering 60 runs to keep the hosts below 300.

For Zimbabwe, Williams top-scored with his 59-ball 78 which included six fours and three maximums.

Tadiwanashe Marumani (29), Wessly Madhevere (41) and Craig Ervine (29) also chipped in with useful contributions at the top.

Meanwhile, skipper Hamilton Masakadza (18), wicketkeeper Clive Madande (22) and Faraz Akram (19*) also put up resistance in the lower order to maintain Zimbabwe Select’s dominance over Shaheens’ bowlers.