Pakistan secured a resounding 99-run win against Zimbabwe in the third and final One Day International, claiming the series victory with a 2-1 result. Kamran Ghulam's maiden century and a strong bowling effort led the way for the Green Shirts, while Zimbabwe's Craig Ervine put up a valiant fight with a half-century. However, Pakistan's target of 304 proved too daunting for the home team as they fell short at 204 runs.
Pakistan Triumphs in Zimbabwe ODI Series with 99-Run Victory
Background:
Pakistan and Zimbabwe faced off in a three-match One Day International (ODI) series in Harare, Zimbabwe. The series was crucial for both teams as it provided an opportunity for Pakistan to improve their ICC ODI rankings, while Zimbabwe aimed to gain valuable experience ahead of the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
Match Summary:
In the third and final ODI, Pakistan posted a formidable total of 304 runs for 7 wickets. Kamran Ghulam played a pivotal role, scoring a maiden ODI century (112 runs). Faheem Ashraf also contributed with a valuable half-century (56 runs).
Zimbabwe's bowlers initially struggled to contain the Pakistani batsmen, but they managed to restrict them in the latter stages of the innings. Tendai Chatara was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets.
In response, Zimbabwe's batting lineup failed to handle Pakistan's bowling attack. Despite Craig Ervine's valiant half-century (74 runs), the home team was bowled out for 204 runs in 41.3 overs. Haris Rauf was the star performer for Pakistan, taking 4 wickets for 28 runs.
Series Result:
Pakistan's resounding 99-run win clinched the ODI series 2-1. This victory marked their first ODI series win in Zimbabwe since 2013.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
Who scored the most runs in the series?
Who took the most wickets in the series?
What was Pakistan's highest score in the series?
What was Zimbabwe's highest score in the series?
When was the last time Pakistan won an ODI series in Zimbabwe before this?
In a dominant performance, South Africa's Tristan Stubbs and Temba Bavuma both scored centuries to give their team a massive lead of 515 runs before declaring their innings. Sri Lanka had a tough time with the ball, managing only two wickets in the second session, and were left with a daunting task of chasing a target of 516 runs in the first Test. Despite losing Stubbs and Bavuma towards the end of the session, South Africa's aggressive batting display has put them in a strong position to take a 1-0 series lead.
The 2024-25 football season in Bangladesh will kick off with a highly-anticipated one-off tournament, the Bangladesh Challenge Cup, where current champions Bashundhara Kings and runners-up Mohammedan SC will go head to head for the title. This tournament, modelled after England's Community Shield, promises to be an exciting display of top tier football as the two teams have a history of being evenly matched. While Kings may have had the upper hand last season, Mohammedan is facing a vulnerable Kings side this time around, making for a thrilling and unpredictable game. Football fans in the country are eagerly awaiting the kickoff at the Bashundhara Kings arena in Dhaka.
Proteas dominate Sri Lanka in the first Test as they set a target of 516 runs to chase down after declaring their second innings at 366 for 5. Sri Lanka will have a tough task ahead of them to avoid defeat, as they were dismissed for just 42 runs in their first innings. With a strong playing XI on both sides, the third day's play promises to be an exciting one at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.
The Hyderabad cricket team showcased a dominant performance, with Ravi Teja leading the way with four wickets, as they claimed a comfortable victory against Bihar in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Led by captain Tilak Varma's half-century and Rohit Rayudu's quickfire knock, the team chased down the target of 119 set by Bihar with ease, registering a nine-wicket win in the 13th over. This win marks Hyderabad's return to form after a recent loss and strengthens their position in Group A of the tournament.
The highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 seems to be in jeopardy as the ICC's board meeting ended without resolving the matter. The meeting, which lasted a mere 10 minutes, resulted in the scheduling of another virtual meeting with board members tomorrow. Despite discussions held earlier today between ICC CEO Geoff Allardice and officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the BCCI's stance remains unclear. Sources indicate that Pakistan remains opposed to hosting the tournament under the hybrid model, with a possible announcement of their withdrawal looming.
Indian cricket team is unlikely to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year due to security concerns, according to the MEA. This decision comes as no surprise as India has not toured Pakistan since 2008 and has not played a bilateral series since 2012-13. Despite pleas from the Pakistan Cricket Board, India remains firm on its stance of not playing cricket in Pakistan until there is equal treatment.
Real Kashmir FC and Gokulam Kerala FC are set to face off in an exciting I-League 2024-25 match at TRC Stadium in Srinagar on Friday. After both teams secured wins in their season openers, they are now battling for the top spot in the league table. Real Kashmir coach Ishfaq Ahmad is hoping for a positive result against a tough opponent and is counting on the support of the home fans, who are being urged to create an electric atmosphere for the match. The J&K Football Association also calls upon the entire football fraternity to join the stands and show unwavering support for the team.
Manchester United is reportedly looking to acquire 22-year-old defender Tomas Araujo from Benfica, with a potential £50m bid to rival Chelsea. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi is also interested in rejoining Chelsea while Newcastle United is keeping a close eye on the 24-year-old centre-back. In other news, Enzo Maresca has denied rumors that Christopher Nkunku is up for sale despite limited playing time. Stay tuned for more transfer news and rumors, and get the latest updates on the Premier League including Guardiola's news conference before Liverpool trip. Plus, England makes a strong comeback against New Zealand in the Test series and Amorim celebrates his first win as manager of Manchester United.
Gukesh, the 18-year-old chess prodigy from Chennai, is facing off against world champion Ding Liren in the FIDE World Chess Championship 2024. After a rest day, the battle has resumed and in game 4, Ding Liren catches Gukesh off guard with the Zukertort Opening. With the match tied at 1.5-1.5, all eyes are on Gukesh to see if he can maintain his mental toughness and secure another victory. Fans can follow the move-by-move action and play along in the interactive feature.
The highly-anticipated All Stars Tennis Ball Cricket League marked its opening on November 28 with a grand event featuring prominent celebrities. Bollywood stars Shilpa Shetty, Mouni Roy, and Tiger Shroff added a touch of glamour to the matches, with Shetty even donning her team's jersey. The league boasts eight dynamic teams and will continue till December 1, providing a thrilling blend of entertainment, sportsmanship, and camaraderie.