Thursday, March 22, 2007

Pakistan earn consolation victory

World Cup Group D, Jamaica: Pakistan 349 (49.5 overs) v Zimbabwe 99 (D/L)
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Imran Nazir
Nazir celebrates his ferocious ton at an emotional Sabina Park

Pakistan paid tribute to former coach Bob Woolmer with a 93-run victory over Zimbabwe under the Duckworth-Lewis method at a rainy Sabina Park.

The win, which was largely down to Imran Nazir's ferocious 160, means Ireland qualify for the next phase.

Pakistan were 349 all out, departing skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq hitting 37.

Zimbabwe fell to 30-3 before a rain delay, after which they were asked to chase a revised total of 193 from 20 overs. They were dismissed for 99.

In Inzamam's last one-dayer, he struck three sixes in a 35-ball innings before Sean Williams caught him off the bowling of Tawanda Mupariwa.

But his tears and gestures to the sky as he left the field suggested his thoughts were with Woolmer.

Earlier, Kamran Akmal edged Elton Chigumbura (3-50) behind for 15 and Shoaib Malik (21) chipped Sean Williams to Justice Chibhabha.

Mohammad Yousuf (3) fell soon after Inzamam, Gary Brent claiming the caught and bowled chance.

Nazir carried on, though, mixing some lusty blows with clever singles in a superb innings.

He offered just one chance, on 81, when Friday Kasteni dropped a skyer at deep backward square-leg off Brent, and struck eight sixes and 14 fours in reaching his highest one-day score off 121 balls.

He was well supported by Younis Khan (28), who shared a partnership of 82 with the opener before he was run out by Christopher Mpofu.

A Pakistan fan pays his own tribute to Woolmer
A Pakistan supporter pays his own tribute to Woolmer

Nazir's superb innings was brought to an end by Stuart Matsikenyeri's superb catch off Mpofu, moments after Brent (3-68) had bowled Shahid Afridi between his legs for 16.

Some ragged Zimbabwe fielding allowed the innings to continue apace, despite Mohammad Sami and Umar Gul falling cheaply.

And Iftikhar Anjum's late rally of 32 off 16 balls boosted the total, which contained 16 sixes, before he fell with one delivery remaining.

Gul had Vusi Sibanda caught at backward point from the second ball of Zimbabwe's innings and Chibhabha edged Gul to Inzamam at first slip two overs later.

Kasteni followed soon after, swishing widly at Sami and Inzamam pouching another catch, before the heavens open.

After a lengthy delay, Brendan Taylor top-edged Danish Kaneria to Younis Khan at long-on before Matsikenyeri was dismissed in peculiar fashion. Matsikenyeri, who tweaked a hamstring taking a quick single, looked as though he had been stumped, but the third umpire decided his runner Taylor had in fact been run out.

Chigumbura provided some brief cheer, smiting Kaneria for three sixes in a row, but he was bowled by Afridi for 27.

Williams and Brent also got stuck into Kaneria before Williams skied him to Gul at long-off and Brent was bowled by Afridi.

Afridi also cleaned up Tawanda Mupariwa and Yousuf finished off proceedings, Mpofu dollying him straight to Inzamam in the covers.

However, it was Woolmer's untimely death that dominated the day's play.

Supporters in the sparse crowd paid tribute to the 58-year-old with banners, and his picture adorned the big screen during an emotional minute's silence before the game, after which the Pakistan team had to return to the dressing room to compose themselves.

Inzamam pledged before the game that the team would do their "level best and try to win the game and honour Bob" - and that was fulfilled thanks in the main to Nazir's fantastic knock.


Pakistan: Imran Nazir, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Sami, Rao Iftikhar, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria.

Zimbabwe: Vusi Sibanda, Friday Kasteni, Chamu Chibhabha, Brendon Taylor, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura, Gary Brent, Prosper Utseya, Tawanda Mupariwa, Christopher Mpofu.

Umpires: Simon Taufel (Aus) and Brian Jerling (RSA)

TV umpire: Billy Bowden (NZ)

ICC Match referee: Chris Broad (Eng)

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