Pakistan wins even with Taylor heroics


Brendan Taylor's fine half-century prove in vain as Zimbabwe's run chase fell now short in the first one-day international next to Pakistan in Bulawayo on Thursday.


Taylor was dismissing for 84 as the hosts slipped to a five-run beat in pursuit of Pakistan's total of 247 for seven.

Aizaz Cheema detached Taylor and opener Vusimuzi Sibanda for 73 in a three-wicket haul as Zimbabwe were controlled to 242 for seven.

Younus Khan previous scored 78 from 72 balls and Misbah-ul-Haq 54 to boost the tourists' score.

Taylor and Sibanda put on 61 for the third wicket, the former benefit from being drop by Shoaib Malik when on 36, to take Zimbabwe from 53 to 114.

Sibanda's innings, which built-in two sixes and six fours, came to an end when he sent a leading edge from a Cheema release back to the bowler.

Tatenda Taibu became Cheema's second victim when he fell for 26 and when he picked up the prized wicket of Taylor with eight balls residual and 15 runs to get for victory the game was up.

The hosts began the day extraordinarily as Chris Mpofu had Imran Farhat wedged behind by Tatenda Taibu for a duck, while Prosper Utseya removed the other opener, Mohammad Hafeez, for 26.

But Younus and Misbah added 52 for the third wicket, the former hitting nine fours in his 78 to bring up his 43rd ODI half-century before he was run out.

Misbah contribute 54, including three fours and a six, before he became the first of Ray Price's two victims.

Shoaib fell to Elton Chigumbura for two as Pakistan were abridged to 129 for four, but Umar Akmal made a handy 36 and Adnan Akmal 27 as they took the score well past the 200 mark.

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