Chigumbura was named Man of the Match for his all-round performance
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Controversial circumstances not only saw Zimbabwe clinch a five-run victory via the Duckworth-Lewis method in the second ODI against Pakistan, but also led to them levelling the series at 1-1.
Prior to the controversy, which occurred in the closing stages of the game, the match started off normally with Pakistan picking up the wicket of Hamilton Masakadza early on after opting to bowl first.
However, Chamu Chibhabha and Brian Chari made up for the early loss of Masakadza with a 91-run partnership, during which Chibhabha brought up his half-century, before Chari was caught by Mohammad Hafeez at slip off the bowling of Wahab Riaz for 39.
All-rounder Sean Williams followed soon after, but Zimbabwe rebuilt their innings through a 59-run stand between Chibhabha and skipper Elton Chigumbura.
Chibhabha was then dismissed for 90 off 125 balls, which included eight boundaries, but Chigumbura continued to take the attack to Pakistan during his 62-run partnership with Sikandar Raza, during which he registered his half-century.
Chibhabha hit eight boundaries during his knock of 90
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
However, Chigumbura was unable to press on after surpassing his half-century as he fell for 67 off 55 deliveries, which included four boundaries and two sixes.
Thanks to Raza’s quickfire 32 towards the end, Zimbabwe finished on 276/6 off their 50 overs.
Riaz was the pick of the bowlers, while Mohammad Irfan and Aamer Yamin chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Chasing 277 to win, Pakistan found themselves in all sorts of trouble as they were reduced to 76/6 in the 22nd over.
However, Shoaib Malik and Yamin came the rescue with a 111-run stand, during which both batsmen recorded their half-centuries, before Yamin was caught behind off the bowling of Chigumbura for a career-best score of 62, which came off 68 balls and included five boundaries and four sixes.
Yamin made a gutsy 62
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Zimbabwe then proceeded to remove Riaz before the game was delayed for a couple of minutes by heavy rain. With the light getting increasingly worse as the players returned, Pakistan launched a major counter-attack and were within touching distance of claiming an unassailable 2-0 lead. But, their hopes of doing so were dashed when the umpires brought the match to a close at the start of the 48th over due to the light being too bad to continue.
Since the Duckworth-Lewis method was in effect, Pakistan needed a score of 261 to win at the start of the 48th over, but they finished on 256/8. As a result, they fell agonisingly short of the finish line. Malik meanwhile would have been extremely dejected that the match ended in such circumstances as his unbeaten knock of 96 off 106 balls, which included eight boundaries and a six, went in vain.
Malik (right) was left stranded on 96 not out
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Tinashe Panyangara was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Chibhabha, Chigumbura Luke Jongwe and Graeme Cremer claimed one wicket each.
Pakistan captain Azhar Ali lauded his side’s comeback after they were on the verge of a huge defeat, and said: “It was a lovely game, Malik and Yamin made us come back in the game when it looked like a one-sided game. Zimbabwe played really well, we could have restricted them to under 250 but they played well at the end. But we lost too many wickets at the start.”
Chigumbura, who was named Man of the Match, was thrilled to have levelled the series, and said: “Obviously, it’s a good feeling. The partnership between Chamu and Chari set things up for us. There was lots of pressure for the team and the way we went out today, we showed good character. Hopefully, I can carry on with what I did today. I had to keep fighting today.”