Wasim finished with career-best figures of 4/11 off his four overs
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Pakistan left-arm spinner Imad Wasim claimed a career-best four wickets to lead his side to a 13-run win over Zimbabwe in the first Twenty20 International in Harare.
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi would have been regretting his decision to bat first as none of the batsmen, with the exception of Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Rizwan, were able to have a major impact.
Malik smashed 35 runs off 24 balls, which included two boundaries and a six, while Rizwan hammered an unbeaten 33 off 32 deliveries, which included one boundary and a six, as Pakistan finished on 136/8 off their 20 overs.
Chamu Chibhabha was the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers with three wickets, while Tinashe Panyanagara, Luke Jongwe, Graeme Cremer and Sean Williams chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Chasing a modest total of 137 to win, Zimbabwe stumbled right from the get-go as they continued losing batsmen at regular intervals.
Skipper Elton Chigumbura tried to rescue his side with a valiant innings of 31, which came off 28 balls and included two boundaries and a six, but Zimbabwe still came up short in the end.
Wasim inflicted the most damage as he took four wickets, while Sohail Tanvir and Wahab Riaz claimed one wicket each.
Chigumbura was gutted to have lost, and said: “It was a good score to chase down. We just lost too many wickets at the end. Disappointing to lose a game like this. The wicket was a bit slow and difficult, but requiring 6 runs an over, it was good to bat on. We have come close on many occasions but are just losing.”
Afridi was relieved to have emerged victorious, and said: “We didn’t play according to the plan. Credit goes to the bowlers. It was a 160-170 pitch but we just did not bat well. The bowlers used the pitch, and I am very happy with the bowlers, especially Imran Khan in that last over. The batsmen need to take up their responsibility.”
Wasim was named Man of the Match, and said: “Everything I touched turned into gold today. Some days it doesn’t pay off, but today it did. I tried to bowl wicket to wicket and the basics paid off. I have to play for the team and whenever I am sent in, I will look to do the job given to me.”