Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, 3rd ODI Match Summary

Right then! The game is done and dusted but the credit should go to one man for keeping his calm and take his side home. BLESSING MUZARABANI IS ADJUDGED MAN OF THE MATCH FOR TAKING 5 WICKETS AND SNARING 2 IN THE SUPER OVER. That's it from this game. Hope you enjoyed the game. The ODI leg finishes but there are 3 T20Is too between these two sides and after this game, that promises to be cracker of a contest. The first one of the 3-match series begins on 7th November 2020 in Rawalpindi at 1600 local (1030 GMT). Till then cheers and take care!

Earlier in the day, After opting the bat, Zimbabwe started poorly once again and the pressure was right on them which the experienced duo of Taylor and Williams took upon themselves. The duo rotated the strike and even smashed loose balls to the boundaries. Thus keeping the Zimbabwean ship floating. The duo also brought up their respective milestones in the process. Just when the time came for acceleration, Taylor fell, putting Zimbabwe once again on the back foot but Williams kept his cool and in company of Wesley Madhevere and Sikandar Raza took Zimbabwe to a total close to the 280-run mark. Talking of Pakistan's bowling, except Hasnain and Afridi, none of the bowlers looked to be settled. Hasnain bagged a 5-fer while Afridi once again went wicketless but was economical. In the end, the total proved too much for the home team as they failed to clear the line even in the second attempt.

Zimbabwe's bowling was hot and cold to say. Zimbabwe started the innings with the ball in full force picking up 5 wickets inside the first 20 overs but then the steam went off as Pakistan batters started to milk runs off them. To make matters worse, some dropped chances added to their pressure. The spinners though contained the run flow but failed to provide further inroads. In the end, the final Powerplay came to their rescue as Muzarabani completed a 5-fer and brought Zimbabwe to the cusp of victory but a poor fielding effort proved to be their Achilles' heel as Chisoro failed to contain a boundary taking the game into the Super Over.

What happened earlier because of which we have had a Super Over? Let's get a flashback. Chasing 279 for victory, Pakistan went onto lose their top three batters inside the first 5 overs and by the time they approached the 20-over mark they lost half their side with the score reading 88 runs. Just when it felt like Pakistan would cave in for the first time, Babar Azam emerged onto the scene and he was supported by the debutant Khushdil Shah. The duo added 63 runs for the 6th wicket as Shah was settling in. Just when the Pakistan camp were thinking that the game was in their control, Khushdil departed giving an opening to the opposition. But Wahab Riaz who came to the crease had other plans as he along with his skipper ensured that the scoreboard keeps on moving and in the process, both got to their respective milestones. Once again there was a twist in the tail when both Riaz and Babar departed in quick succession leaving Pakistan in tatters but Muhammad Musa's last ball four took the game to the Super Over.

Pakistan batting first in the Super Over lost a couple of wickets and ended up scoring just 2 runs. In the end, Sikandar Raza and Brendan Taylor held their nerves and took Zimbabwe over the line comfortably.

Wow! What a game we have had and believe it that it is neither, Australia nor any other team. You won't believe it that it is Zimbabwe. Yes, you heard it right. It has been a brilliant game of cricket as both teams going neck and neck end up playing the Super Over. How did the Super Over turn out to be?

FOUR! Zimbabwe win the Super Over. That is it. Short ball on off, Raza hammers it to mid off where Riaz fails to stop it and it goes to the long off fence. ZIMBABWE WIN THE THIRD ODI.

Short ball outside off, Raza looks to cut but misses. 2 needed from 4.

Full on off, Taylor digs it out towards cover. The fiielder dives but parries it to mid off. A single taken. 2 needed.