Summary Pakistan gives a target of 245 runs to Zimbabwe in first One Day International to chase.
HARARE (AP) - Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and opted to bat in the first of three one-day internationals in Zimbabwe on Tuesday.
Captain Misbaul Haq scored an unbated 83 while Muhammad Hafeez scored 70 runs as Pakistan scored 144 runs.
Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez made half-centuries as a tentative Pakistan was held to 244-7 in the first one-day international against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.
The pair gave the tourists some impetus in their 99-run partnership for the third wicket but Zimbabwe kept Pakistan largely in check in the series-opener.
Misbah made 83 not out from 85 deliveries on his return to lead the team after sitting out the Twenty20 series. Hafeez hit 70 from 71 balls with six fours and three sixes.
Tendai Chatara and Brian Vitori took two wickets each for Zimbabwe, which was whitewashed 3-0, 5-0 and 5-0 in its last three ODI series against Pakistan. Zimbabwe needs 245 to win its first ODI against Pakistan in a bilateral series for 15 years.
Misbah returned to captain Pakistan after sitting out the tourists 2-0 Twenty20 series win.
Opener Ahmed Shehzad retained his place at the top of the Pakistan batting lineup after successive half-centuries in the T20 games to start the tour. Seamer Junaid Khan was recalled to partner Mohammad Irfan in an otherwise spin-heavy Pakistan attack.
Zimbabwe left out seam bowler Shingirai Masakadza at Harare Sports Club.
Pakistan has won four of its last five ODI series and put together a strong recent run, winning in India and West Indies over the last 12 months. Zimbabwe has lost five of its last six, starting with a 3-0 defeat by Pakistan at home in 2011.
Zimbabwe was whitewashed 5-0 by India this month and apart from a 2-1 series win over Bangladesh in May, the southern Africans last won an ODI game in 2011.
Pakistan is No. 6 in the ODI rankings, while Zimbabwe is No. 10 ahead of only Ireland, Netherlands and Kenya.
