HARARE: Omair Bin Yousuf played a scintillating knock of 89 not out before bowlers decimated Zimbabwe Select to power Pakistan Shaheens to a massive 177-run victory in the fifth one-day of the six-game series on Thursday.

Set to chase a massive 316-run target, the Zimbabwe Select batting lineup struggled against the ruthless Pakistan Shaheens’ bowling attack and could score a meagre 137 before bundling out in the 32nd over. The hosts started off poorly in pursuit of the total and kept losing wickets at regular intervals with only Milton Shumba offering some retaliation with a gritty 46-ball 41, which featured five boundaries.

Besides Shumba, opening batter Tadiwanashe Marumani (19), Wessly Madhevere (15) and skipper Sean Williams (15) remained the notable run-getter for Zimbabwe Select amid a dismal show with the bat. Whereas, six of the Zimbabwe Select batters could not make it into the double digits which paved the way for a resounding 177-run victory for Pakistan Shaheens. Qasim Akram and Shahnawaz Dahani led the bowling attack for Pakistan Shaheens with three wickets each, followed by Mehran Mumtaz’s 2/36 while Mohammad Ali and Aamer Jamal made one scalp each. The 177-run victory in the fifth one-day bolstered Pakistan Shaheens to stay alive in the six-match series as the visitors reduced Zimbabwe Select’s advantage to 3-2 with a game to spare.

Omair Bin Yousuf built on a superb 139-run start given by openers Imran Butt and Haseebullah Khan to steer Pakistan Shaheens to 314/6 in 50 overs after they were put into bat. Imran scored 64 from 65 balls with the help of seven fours and a maximum while wicket-keeper batter Haseebullah made a 77-ball 62, laced with nine boundaries. Sikandar Raza’s 24th over gave Zimbabwe Select a much-needed respite as both openers were sent back to the hut in a matter of three balls. Omair Yusuf, however, continued his brilliant form from the previous match, where he scored a sensational 156 off 126 deliveries, and top-scored for his side in this game as well. He smashed seven boundaries and a six while playing at a strike rate of over 100. While he remained undeterred at one end, Rohail Nazir (16), Kamran Ghulam (12), skipper Hussain Talat (7) and Qasim Akram (13) failed to make significant contributions in the middle. However, all-rounder Aamer Jamal made an unbeaten 24 from 18 balls to give a helping hand to Omair Yusuf in the end.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 26 2023

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