D/L method costs Pakistan precious victory after brilliant comeback

HARARE (AFP/Web Desk) –  Pakistan lost the game after a brilliant comeback due to the D/L method, falling short of just 5 runs. Shoaib Malik led the chase brilliantly and remained undefeated on 96 runs but Zimbabwe fielders complained of bad light and the umpires had to call the game off. The fielders were quick to shake hands with Pakistani batsmen and went off the field in a hurry.

Pakistani dressing room looked terribly disappointed over the outcome as they missed the chance to seal the series with a terrefic win. It could have gone either way, anyways, and the game ended up in a victory for Zimbabwe. The final ODI is now to be played on October 5 and it will be the series decider as well since it is 1 - 1 right now.

And it s final. Pakistan have lost the game as Zimbabwe fielders complained about light. Pakistan were short by 5 runs according to the D/L method and have lost the game. The series is drawn 1 - 1 and the final will now be played on October 5. 

Official News: Play will be called off if light doesn t improve within next 4 minutes i.e. 20:46 PST.

WHAT just happened? It s over. The D/L method has cost Pakistan the game, it seems. What seemed to be all set for a spectacular finish, is turning out to be an awful drop scene. Pakistan have lost the match and Shoaib Malik goes back, wanting the game as well as his own century as he remains 96 not out. He has worked so hard for it. Pakistan still needed 5 runs to win it on D/L method.

48 overs: Pakistan need 20 runs off the last 12 balls.

46.6 FOUR! What seemed to be a good over, finally ended up conceding 9 runs as Malik hit the last ball for four while the Wide 4th ball of the over gave Pakistan a vital extra ball. Panyangara seemed a bit disturbed after that Wide as he gave away 7 runs in the next 3 balls. Pakistan now need 29 off 18 balls.

45.4 FOUR! Another one! That was short and Malik cut it over the Point for four. Malik goes on..

45.1 FOUR! Another boundary for Shoaib Malik. He is now 81* and Pakistan still not giving up! 

Umpire! What are you smoking these days? 

45 overs: Pakistan are 226 for 8 now and need another 51 runs off the last 30 balls.

44.4 FOUR! Yasir Shah edges it over the Gully fielders for four.

44 overs: Pakistan now need 61 rund off 36 balls. Difficult but not impossible. Pakistan still in the game.

43.5 FOUR! Yasir Shah plays it beautifully over the cover fielders for four.

42.6 FOUR! Shoaib Malik hits one this time. It was a juicy full toss and Malik has heaved that one for the boundary. 

42.1 FOUR! What classy timing by Yasir Shah. He flicked this one off his knee and that s gone racing to the boundary. This is far from over.

Messi ki timing

— Why so serious? (@MadMasterr) October 3, 2015

42 overs: RAIN! And Covers are coming on the ground as it is raining heavily with strong sunlight as well. Players are off the ground and in need of at least another 54 runs within next 18 balls to win this on D/L method as they need to score 250 in 45 overs. They are well short though.

41.5 OUT! Wahab Riaz goes. He never looked confident. Trying to run for a single every ball, Wahab Riaz was finally caught middle of the wicket as Chigumbura threw the ball underhand, knocking the wickets off and Riaz is run out.

39.5 OUT! And finally Yamin is gone. Was it the final thaw in Zimbabwe s way. It took them long but they are finally rid of it. Yamin scored a brilliant 62 off 68 with 5 boundaries and 4 sixes.

37.2 The partnership between these two is now 100. 

36.5 SIX! That s unbelievable! How can you hit that? Aamer Yamin got down on his knee and lifted it over the Fine Leg fielder.

35.6 SIX! And Aamer Yamin completes his FIFTY also with a massive six.

33.2 FOUR! Aamer Yamin has hit that one over the cover fieldsmen and it races to the boundary.

32.6 SIX! Malik has lifted it over the Mid-wicket boundary for six and as the commentator said, "He doesn t need to run for that". That brings up Malik s FIFTY as well. 

32.4 FOUR! Shoaib Malik places that one over the Long Off fielder and it s gone for four.

31.3 FOUR! Aamer Yamin had swept that one uppishly and the fielder coming in from the Fine Leg dived forward but couldn t catch it. Pakistan is gradually nearing down the difference between the total runs and the target. Can they go on?

Zimbabwe now have dropped more Pakistan players than Pakistan has this year. #ZimvPak

— Nikhil Popat (@CricCrazyNIKS) October 3, 2015

30.5 And that s DROPPED again. This was no Free Hit this time but the fielder at Point has dropped a sitter here. Shoaib Malik gets a new life.

30.1 SIX! And now it s a dropped catch. Although it was a Free Hit due to the last ball being a No Ball, Zimbabwe seem to have eased up a bit.

6 Wides and a No Ball in last 2 overs from Zimbabwe.

28.3 FOUR! Aamer Yamin has been brilliant. Another one over the Long Off boundary for four. He is playing inside the safe V.

27 overs: 100 UP!  It took ages but finally it is up. Pakistan are 100 for 6 after 27 overs.

26.6 FOUR! WOW! Now that was some shot. Aamer Yamin has played it with such elegance. Lovely stroke!

25.5 SIX! Aamer Yamin has launched that one over the Long on boundary for Six. Pakistan 93 for 6 now.

Overs 25: We are halfway down the innings. Pakistan are 86 for 6 and the prospects look dim.

23.4 FOUR! And Aamer Yamin comes down the wicket and smashes that one over the bowler s head for 4.

21.2 OUT! It seems everything is going right for Zimbabwe today. Rizwan goes now as John Nyumbu takes a blinder in the first slip. It had already gone past him when Nyumbu got a hand to it.

20.3 FOUR! Rizwan comes down the wicket and hits that one straight. Mid-off fielder dived but it was about 10-15 meters away from him.

19.3 FOUR! And this time it was full on the pads. He places it beautifully between the mid-wicket and mid-on fielders and the ball creams towards the boundary as the Mid-on fielder gives it a useless chase.

19.1 FOUR! Shoaib Malik was given a juicy half volley on his pads and he doesn t miss such chances. 

17.5 OUT! And this time Sarfraz has hit that straight to Cover where the fielder makes no mistake. Pakistan are 56 for 5.

17.2 FOUR! Sarfraz Ahmed cuts that one and the man at the backward misfields it. Pakistan gets the boundary.

Overs 16: Pakistan are 48 for 4 and it s Drinks here at Harare Sports Club. Zimbabwe have their best chance today to beat Pakistan in 2 years.

13.6 OUT! Mohammad Hafeez is Run Out. Brilliant fielding! Hafeez thought that would have passed the fielder but was shocked to see the ball coming back to the keeper as he was already midway down the wicket by then. Pakistan s woes continue.

9.1 FOUR! Wristy Hafeez flicks that ball and the ball races towards the boundary. Another four!

8.6 FOUR! Shoaib Malik plays a beautiful shot. That s gone racing towards the boundary.

6.3 FOUR! Hafeez edges it for four. Pakistan won t mind this welcome boundary, anyways. 21 for 3 now.

5.3 OUT! Asad Shafiq edges one to the wicket-keeper. Pakistan in deep trouble now.

2.4 OUT! Azhar Ali misses Panyangara s in-swinging beauty that knocked his middle stump over. The ball swung back in sharply after pitching. Unplayable!

Over 1: Pakistan 6-1

0.6 FOUR! Hafeez takes off with a boundary.

Overs 0.5: Pakistan 2-1

OUT! Bilal Asif tries to play one with a cross bat, ended up skying it to the mid-off fielder. Pakistan takes the early blow.

END of ZIMBABWE s INNINGS 

Zimbabwe set a 277-run target to be chased by Pakistan

50.0 Overs: Zim: 276-6

Current partnership 9 runs, 0.3 overs, RR: 18.00 (Mutumbami 4, Jongwe 4).

49.4 FOUR! Luke Jongwe in action, takes boundary, 

49.3 OUT! Aamer Yamin to S Raza, caught by Sarfraz Ahmed!! Maiden wicket for Yamin, Raza s sparkling cameo.

48.5 FOUR! Mutumbami once again hits a boundary. 

48.4 FOUR! Riaz to Mutumbami, cracking shot.

48.3 OUT! Riaz to Chigumbura, Hit Wkt!! Chigumbura was camping deep inside his crease, looked to follow the ball and whip it away over.

47.4 FOUR! Chigumbura continues striking fours, back of length ball, outside off stump, Chigumbura makes room and smashes it through extra cover for four runs.

17 runs from the over. A big one for Zimbabwe. The score is 223-4 in 45 overs. Chigumbura moves on to 48 #ZIMvPAK #cricket View details

— NaeemTanha (@lion_BoomBoom) October 3, 2015

46.2 SIX Riaz to Chigumbura, fuller in length ball, outside off stump, leans forward and drives through extra cover for four runs.

45.0 Overs: Zim: 223-4

Current partnership 32 runs, 2.3 overs, RR: 12.80 (Chigumbura 13, Sikandar Raza 19)

44.4 Another SIX, Riaz to Chigumbura, slower short ball, outside off stump, goes back and pulls it over backward square leg fence for a six.

SHOT! Chigumbura was hit on the helmet in Wahab s previous over; now he has hammered Wahab to the roof http://t.co/G4LInSyEFl #ZIMvPAK

— Shah Jee (@mardanone) October 3, 2015

43.6 First SIX of the match, S Raza hits a long boundary off Bilal Asif ball, outside off stump, comes down the wicket and launches it over long-on for a massive six.

42.4 FOUR! S Raza hits a boundary, good length ball, outside off stump, outside edge goes wide of 1st slip fielder for four runs.

42.3 OUT! yes finally the most awaited wicket has been achieved by Riaz. Chibhabha gone for 90 (125), caught by Sarfraz Ahmed!! Edged and caught! Chibhabha falls in the nineties once again against Pakistan.

Twitterati express satisfaction over Pakistan s performance.  

Wicket is pretty balanced pakistan will easily chase anything under 250. #ZimvPak

— Hamzzaayy. (@Hamxa96) October 3, 2015

40.1 FOUR! Chigumbura adds 4 runs to the score, low full toss, outside off stump, outside edge races away towards third-man for four runs.

40.0 Overs: Zim: 180-3

Current partnership 48 runs, 9.1 overs, RR: 5.23 (Chigumbura 25, Chibhabha 22).

37.5 FOUR! Chigumbura hits a boundary, short ball, outside off stump, goes back and cuts it towards deep backward point for four runs.

Pakistani players celebrate wicket of Sean Williams

35.0 Overs: Zim: 153-3

Current partnership 22 runs, 4.4 overs, RR: 4.71 (Chigumbura 7, Chibhabha 14).

34.6 FOUR! Chibhabha continues showing fitness, another boundary by him, short ball, outside off stump, goes back and pulls away towards deep mid-wicket for four runs.

30.5 OUT! Sean Williams gone!, caught by Hafeez!! Williams  poor form continues as he loses his wicket.

#ZIMvPAK Wicket! @sean14williams departs for 10.Chases a wide one & Hafeez takes a comfortable catch at slip off the bowling of Riaz.132/3

— Ramiz Raja Official (@ImRamizRaja) October 3, 2015

30.4 FOUR! Riaz to Sean Williams, to third man.

30.0 Overs: Zim: 125-2

Current partnership 7 runs, 1.1 overs, RR: 6.00 (Williams 5, Chibhabha 2).

Our batsman are lucky that no Zimbabwean bowler can bowl a dangerous bouncers like Wahab Riaz. #ZIMvPAK

— Mohammad Yousuf (@MoyoTalks) October 3, 2015

29.3 FOUR! Sean Williams hits boundary, loopy delivery, on middle and leg stump, heaves away towards deep mid-wicket fence for four runs.

28.5 OUT! Chari gone! caught by Hafeez. Irfan gets the reward for some incisive bowling.

27.4 FOUR! Chari in form, hits a boundary, flighted ball, outside off stump, comes down the wicket and lofts it over mid-off for four runs.

Appreciations for Chibhabha as he smashes half century.

zim looking solid today..#ZimvPak #ZimCricketv

— Ranga (@komboranga) October 3, 2015

Well played Chibhabha,wonderful 50! Carry on ;) ;) Pak,bring on Malik!! #ZIMvPAK

— Aashish Poudel (@AsisPdl07) October 3, 2015

25.0 Overs: Zim: 103-1

Current partnership 76 runs, 17.2 overs, RR: 4.38 (Chibhabha 41, Chari 31).

23.5 Chibhabha once again hits a FOUR, to backward square leg.

21.3 Bilal Asif to Chibhabha, 1 run, moves to his half century as he calmly pushes it with the slight turn to long on, and to cheers from the sparse crowd.

20.0 Overs: Zim: 81-1

Current partnership 54 runs, 12.4 overs, RR: 4.26 (Chibhabha 30, Chari 20).

Meanwhile, cricket fans show hope to win the series.

2nd Odi it will be a victory Again InshaAllah :D #2ndOdi #PakVsZim

— Ramin khan (@Raminkhan7) October 3, 2015

15.0 Overs: Zim: 54-1

Current partnership 27 runs, 7.2 overs, RR: 3.68 (Chibhabha 17, Chari 7).

10.6: FOUR! Chamunorwa Chibhabha again hits a boundary. Short ball, outside off stump, goes back and pulls away towards mid-wicket for four runs

10.0 Overs: Zim: 40-1

CJ Chibhabha on 29 and BB Chari on 0 are on the crease.

Chamuuuuuuuuu!! #backinform #ZIMvPAK

— SpitfiresKent (@SpitfiresKent) October 3, 2015

8.2 FOUR! Chibhabha smashes a boundary, square of the wicket.

8.1 FOUR! Aamer Yamin to Chibhabha, the attempted yorker goes wrong, ends up as a low full toss outside off and with all the fielders up in the ring.

7.4: OUT! H Masakadza gone! Wahab gets the wicket in his first over, short of length ball, on middle and leg stump, Masakadza goes for a pull shot, top edge goes high in the air towards deep backward square leg, Irfan takes a well judge catch there.

5.3: FOUR! Aamer Yamin to Chibhabha. Short of length ball, outside off stump, comes down the wicket and smashes it through covers for four runs.

5.0 Overs: Zim: 17-0

4.5: FOUR! Masakadza hits a boundary. Fuller in length ball, outside off stump, comes forward and drives it up and over mid-off for four runs.

H Masakadza on 6 and CJ Chibhabha on 10 are still holding the pitch.

Match begins! H Masakadza and CJ Chibhabha open the innings for Zimbabwe while Muhammad Irfan has ball in the hand.

Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first against Zimbabwe in second ODI.