Pakistan secured a dominant victory over Zimbabwe by 263 runs in the first Test at the National Stadium in Karachi. The hosts, winning the toss and batting first, posted a commanding 509 runs in their first innings, with Imam-ul-Haq scoring a century. Zimbabwe, in reply, managed only 212 runs, with Regis Chakabva top-scoring with 64. Pakistan then declared their second innings at 162-3, setting a target of 460 for Zimbabwe. The visitors were bowled out for 196 in their second innings, with Shaheen Afridi taking four wickets. The match concluded on the fourth day, with Pakistan’s victory marking their first Test win of the summer.
Pakistan Dominates Zimbabwe in First Test
Pakistan secured a commanding 263-run victory over Zimbabwe in the first Test at the National Stadium in Karachi. The hosts bowled Zimbabwe out for 164 in their second innings, chasing a target of 428.
Pakistan’s bowlers dominated throughout the match. Shaheen Afridi took four wickets, while Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf each claimed three. Zimbabwe’s batting lineup struggled against the pace and movement offered by the Pakistani bowlers.
The home side’s batting set up the victory with a strong first innings total of 431. Imam-ul-Haq top-scored with 128, while captain Babar Azam contributed 98. Zimbabwe’s reply was a modest 210, with captain Craig Ervine top-scoring with 61.
Pakistan’s bowlers maintained pressure in the second innings. They took regular wickets to restrict Zimbabwe’s progress. The visitors’ resistance was led by Regis Chakabva, who scored 48 before falling to Afridi.
The victory puts Pakistan in a strong position ahead of the second Test. They lead the two-match series 1-0. Zimbabwe will need to improve their batting performance to compete in the next match.
Historic Victory for Pakistan in Harare
Pakistan secured a historic 263-run victory over Zimbabwe in the first Test at Harare Sports Club. The win marks Pakistan’s first Test victory in Zimbabwe since 2002, ending a 21-year drought.
Pakistan’s dominant performance was built on a monumental 658-7 declared in their first innings. Opener Abdullah Shafique scored a career-best 160, while Sarfaraz Ahmed contributed a crucial 141. Zimbabwe’s top scorer, captain Craig Ervine, managed 100 runs in their first innings total of 304.
The hosts fought back with a 253-run lead after their second innings, with Ervine scoring another century (110). However, Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Nauman Ali’s 5-91, dismissed Zimbabwe for 253 in their second innings.
Pakistan then chased down the modest target of 10 runs without loss. The victory gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The second Test begins on 14 April at the same venue.
Zimbabwe coach Hamilton Masakadza acknowledged Pakistan’s superior skills. “Pakistan outplayed us in all departments,” he said post-match. “We need to learn from this and improve for the next Test.”
Zimbabwe Struggles Against Pakistan's Bowling Attack
Pakistan secured a dominant victory over Zimbabwe in the first Test, crushing their opponents by 263 runs at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The hosts were bowled out for 143 in their second innings, chasing an imposing target of 407.
Zimbabwe’s batting lineup struggled against Pakistan’s potent bowling attack, which included debutant Shaheen Afridi. The left-arm pacer claimed four wickets, including the prized scalp of Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza for a duck.
Pakistan’s bowlers maintained a tight grip on the game throughout Zimbabwe’s innings. Mohammad Abbas and Bilal Asif each picked up three wickets, while leg-spinner Yasir Shah chipped in with two.
The hosts’ top-order crumbled early, with only Regis Chakabva offering resistance with a top score of 43. Zimbabwe’s innings lasted just 50.3 overs, with only five batsmen reaching double figures.
Pakistan’s victory was set up by a commanding first-innings total of 378. Opener Shan Masood top-scored with 135, while Azhar Ali contributed 80. Zimbabwe had earlier posted 226 in their first innings, with Sean Williams leading the way with 66.
The win gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, with the second Test scheduled to start on 10 November in Harare. Zimbabwe’s struggles against the touring side’s bowling attack have raised concerns about their preparations for the upcoming series against Bangladesh.
Pakistan's Batsmen Set Impressive Total
Pakistan’s batsmen set an impressive total of 509 runs in their first innings against Zimbabwe in the first Test at the National Stadium in Karachi. The hosts declared their innings after skipper Babar Azam scored a commanding century, finishing on 123 not out. Opener Imam-ul-Haq also made a significant contribution with 112 runs.
Zimbabwe’s bowling attack struggled to contain Pakistan’s batsmen, with only Victor Nyauchi managing to take three wickets. The visitors’ top bowler, Blessing Muzarabani, went wicketless despite bowling 22 overs. Pakistan’s declaration came on the second day of the match, setting Zimbabwe a daunting target.
In response, Zimbabwe’s batsmen faced a formidable challenge against Pakistan’s bowling attack. The hosts’ pacemen, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, made early inroads, dismissing Zimbabwe’s top order cheaply. By the end of the second day’s play, Zimbabwe were reeling at 54 for 4, trailing Pakistan’s first innings total by 455 runs.
Pakistan’s victory margin of 263 runs was their largest against Zimbabwe in Test cricket. The win also marked Pakistan’s third consecutive Test victory at the National Stadium in Karachi. Zimbabwe’s captain, Craig Ervine, acknowledged the disparity in performance, stating, “Pakistan outplayed us in all departments of the game.”
First Test Concludes with Pakistan's Dominance
Pakistan concluded their first Test against Zimbabwe with a commanding 263-run victory at the National Cricket Stadium in Harare. The dominant performance saw Pakistan declare their second innings at 272-7, setting Zimbabwe an imposing target of 487.
Zimbabwe’s top-order crumbled against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack, with only captain Craig Ervine offering resistance. Ervine scored a valiant 81 before becoming Mohammad Abbas’s fifth wicket of the match. The home side were eventually dismissed for 223 in their second innings.
Pakistan’s victory was built on strong performances with both bat and ball. Opener Abid Ali scored a century in the first innings, while fast bowler Abbas took nine wickets across the match. Pakistan’s fielding was also sharp, with several crucial run-outs contributing to Zimbabwe’s downfall.
The victory marks Pakistan’s first Test win in Zimbabwe since 2002. Pakistan captain Azhar Ali praised his team’s all-round effort. “Our bowlers were outstanding, and our batsmen provided them with good totals to defend,” he said post-match.
Zimbabwe’s struggle continued despite a fighting partnership between Ervine and Regis Chakabva, who scored 43. The hosts have now lost six consecutive Test matches, with their last victory coming against Bangladesh in November 2018.
Pakistan’s next Test assignment is against Australia, starting on 28 November in Dubai. Zimbabwe will look to regroup for their next Test series against Bangladesh in February 2021.
Pakistan’s dominant performance in the first Test against Zimbabwe ended with a crushing 263-run victory at the National Stadium in Karachi. The hosts bowled Zimbabwe out for 146 in their second innings, chasing an imposing target of 409. Pakistan’s spinners, led by Yasir Shah, took 16 wickets in the match, highlighting their control over the game. The victory sets up an intriguing second Test, with Pakistan aiming to build on their momentum while Zimbabwe seeks redemption. The series serves as a crucial warm-up for Pakistan ahead of their upcoming tour to Australia.
