Monday, March 14, 2011

Pak vs Zim: Rain plays spoilsport again in Pallekele

NEW DELHI: Rain stopped play again as there was another frustrating delay in the match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe in their World Cup Group A clash in Pallekele on Monday.

Zimbabwe's batting Powerplay is reduced to two overs. When Pakistan bat, their mandatory Powerplay is for the first nine overs, and four overs each for the batting and bowling Powerplays.

Pakistan's target will be adjusted as per the Duckworth Lewis method.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi dismissed Greg Lamb as Zimbabwe lost their fifth wicket.

Afridi took a simple return catch to take his first wicket off a googly to reduce Zimbabwe to 84/5 in 23.5 overs.

Taking full advantage of overcast conditions, Abdul Razzaq and Umar Gul struck early as Zimbabwe got off to a poor start.

Razzaq struck on the fifth ball of the match when he had Brendan Taylor caught behind by Kamran Akmal and in the next over Gul trapped Regis Chakabva plumb in front of the wicket to reduce Zimbabwe to 5/2 in 2 overs.

Gul struck again in the sixth over when he had Vusimuzi Sibanda caught by Misbah-ul-Haq at first slip to reduce Zimbabwe to 13/3.

Wahab Riaz gave Pakistan the fourth breakthrough when he had Tatenda Taibu caught by captain Shahid Afridi at mid-off to reduce Zimbabwe to 43/4 in 12.4 overs.

This was after Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura won the toss and chose to bat in overcast conditions.

The start of the match was slightly delayed due to wet outfield.

Pakistan have brought in Wahab Riaz and Asad Shafiq and rested Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Akmal.

Zimbabwe have replaced Chris Mpofu and Sean Williams with Shingirai Masakadza and Vusimuzi Sibanda.

Teams:

Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (Capt.), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shahzad, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Abdur Rehman, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz.

Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura (Capt.), Brendan Taylor, Regis Chakabva, Tatenda Taibu, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Craig Ervine, Greg Lamb, Prosper Utseya, Graeme Cremer, Shingirai Masakadza, Raymond Price.

toi

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