Zimbabwe restrict Pakistan to 247-7 in first ODI

BULAWAYO: Pakistan were restricted to 247-7 by Zimbabwean bowlers in the first of the three One-day Internationals here at the Queen’s Sports Club ground on Thursday.

After captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat, Pakistan lost Imran Farhat for only one run on the board but in-form allrounder Mohammad Hafeez and veteran batsman Younis Khan rescued them and added 73 runs for the second wicket before Hafeez went for 26.

Then, Younis added further 52 runs with Misbah for the third wicket but later Pakistan began to collapse.

Younis was run out after top scoring with 78 and Misbah also made a half-century scoring 54.

Shoaib Malik, making a comeback, failed to score and was out for only two runs.

However, Umar Akmal (36) and his brother Adnan (27) gave some respectability to the team and in the last Sohail Tanvir also made a brisk 17 to take the score to 247 in 50 overs.

For Zimbabwe, fast bowlers Ray Price and Chris Mpofu claimed two wickets each.

Now, Zimbabwe require 248 runs to win the match.