For once Pakistan got the toss right but the first ten overs of their batting was like something out of 1960. Misbah yet again played the anchor & thanks to some lusty blows by Wahab Riaz in the end Pakistan were able to put 235 on the scoreboard.
Pakistan had to be at their best & a lot depended on Mohammad Irfan. The Giant did not disappoint & snuck out the openers cheaply. Masakadza & Taylor set to build the innings but Maskadza played an irresponsible shot & it took a fantastic catch by Captain Misbah to break a dangerously growing partnership. Zimbabwe kept losing wickets at key moments & their captain's injury didn't help much their strategy either. Afridi went wicketless (Umar Akmal didn't help much with the catching :-) ) yet again & would you believe it - Umar Akmal still ended up with 5 catches to his account ! In the end it had become too difficult for an injured Chigumbura to win it for Zimbabwe, the tail struggling to handle Irfan & Wahab Riaz. Pakistan are still not out of the woods but this win must have boosted the confidence of a shaken side.