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Anonymous at September 17, 2013 0
This was one of the most horrible news about a cricketer. Former Zimbabwean all-rounder Guy Whittall spent whole night in a room where an eight-foot-long and 330-pound crocodile was resting under the bed.

[caption id="attachment_2358" align="alignright" width="300"]The eight-foot long crocodile which spent a whole night under the former player's bed (Photo: Caters News Agency) The eight-foot long crocodile which spent a whole night under the former player's bed (Photo: Caters News Agency)[/caption]

According to British newspaper Daily Mail, the crocodile somehow managed to sneak into the Humani Lodge rest house for tourists, and stayed in hiding for eight hours in the room where Whittall was staying. Surprisingly, he had no idea about what was under his bed. In fact, he only realised it next morning when he heard one chambermaid screaming. The hotel staff later found the beast under Whittall's bed.

The cricketer played 46 Tests and 147 ODIs for Zimbabwe. He says, “Now when I think about it I am completely terrified. Before going for breakfast this morning I sat on the bed with my feet resting on floor, that is few inches away from such a huge crocodile.” Whittall, 41, is presently the director of Humani Lodge.

It was reported that the crocodile came to the hotel from River Turgwe that flows nearby. Later, the crocodile was set free back in the river.

Zimbabwe has a key position in Africa due to its wild life. The safari here is a major attraction for the tourists looking for natural landscape and animals.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="380"]Guy Whittall, Test, Cricketer, Zimbabwe, All Rounder 41 Years Old Guy Whittall played 46 Tests and 147 ODIs for Zimbabwe (Image: Current News Agency)[/caption]
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Anonymous at September 09, 2013 0
The first Test between Pakistan and Zimbabwe at Harare remained in the hosts' clutches for the first three days. However, after a double century of Younis Khan and remarkable comeback by Pakistani bowlers helped the tourists turn the tables on the opponents, clinching a 221-run victory.

[caption id="attachment_2279" align="alignright" width="237"]Fourth double century of Younis Khan’s career proved successful (Photo: AFP) Fourth double century of Younis Khan’s career proved successful (Photo: AFP)[/caption]

Zimbabwe do deserve credit for keeping the game on equal level for the first three days. But the way Pakistan came back in the match on the back of Younis' innings and later the bowlers summed up the hosts' innings to 120 runs was enough to prove Pakistan's abilities.

Pakistan were all out at 249 in the first innings and after that Zimbabwe gained more and more control of the match with every passing session. When Pakistan lost three wickets at 27, Azhar Ali (78) and Misbah-ul-Haq (53) brought some grace back to the team.

However, consistent fall of wickets restricted the score from building up, and had there not been a 67-run partnership between Saeed Ajmal and Junaid Khan, Pakistan would have made a much less total. Ajmal's 49 runs were a great support for Pakistan in amassing a somewhat respectable total.

Zimbabwean bowlers proved their captain's decision of fielding first correct. Not only Tendai Chatara and Panyangara, but also Shingi Masakadza and Prosper Utseya bowled well and cornered the touring side.

The start of Zimbabwe's innings was not good either. They lost three wickets at 68 including key wickets of Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda. But a partnership of 127 between Sikandar Raza and Malcolm Waller gave upper hand to the team.

Pakistani-origin Raza, who was making his Test debut against his ancestral country, helped Waller a lot and faced Pakistani bowlers with the determination of a skilled batsman.

The partnership ended when Waller was caught in the slip on Ajmal's delivery. Waller scored 70 runs off 100 balls, hitting 14 fours. Raza 60(118) became Ajmal's third wicket. He smashed 20 fours during his innings.

At this stage when half of the Zimbabwean team was back to the pavilion, Pakistan failed to capitalise the opportunity. Chigumbura scored 69 runs and gave another life to Zimbabwean innings. Zimbabwe amassed 327 runs in their first innings, taking an astonishing lead of 78 runs over Pakistan.

Ajmal took seven wickets for 95 runs, Junaid took two and Rahat took one.

The 78-run lead and Pakistan's performance in the first innings were giving a sense that all was over. And the way Pakistan started their second innings only strengthened that impression.

Pakistan lost Khuram Manzoor, Azhar Ali, and Hafeez at the total of just 23. Khuram failed in second innings too and got lbw at the hands of Panyangara. Ali got out on duck, becoming the second victim of Panyangara. Hafeez gifted his wicket in short extra cover to Chatara.

At this troubled time, Misbah and Younis took the charge to save the game. Both these men added 116 runs in the fourth wicket. The partnership could have gone longer but Misbah was trapped by S Masakadza and got out while playing to the cover. When Misbah departed after scoring 52 off 157, Pakistan were 139-4.

Asad Shafiq once again failed to live up to expectations as he fell prey to Chatara. Pakistan lost half of its side when the lead was not even 100.

[caption id="attachment_2278" align="alignright" width="201"]It was the fourth 10-wicket haul by Saeed Ajmal in Tests (Photo: AFP) It was the fourth 10-wicket haul by Saeed Ajmal in Tests (Photo: AFP)[/caption]

At this stage, Adnan Akmal supported Younis and the duo added 118 runs in the sixth wicket. Adnan scored 64 off 154. On the other end, Younis kept his calm and completed his 22nd Test century on 221 balls.

After Adnan Akmal got run-out, Pakistan lost back-to-back wickets of Abdul Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, and Junaid Khan -- all to Utseya. But it was the 88-run partnership between Younis and Rahat Ali which helped Younis near his double century.

In the final moments of the fourth day, Misbah was faced with a dilemma. If he declared the innings, Younis could not complete his 200. And if he did not declare, critics would slam him for losing an opportunity to win the game. He kept on signalling Younis to show him how much overs were left and tell him to speed up the innings. Younis played accordingly. When Pakistan had the last over to declare the innings, he completed his double century by hitting a six to Utseya. Pakistan then declared their innings on 419-9, giving Zimbabwe a winning target of 342 runs.

This was Younis’ fourth double century, during which he remained at the crease for 10 hours and 14 minutes and faced 404 balls. He hit 3 sixes and 15 fours. The tailender Rahat Ali remained not out on 35 runs off just 40 balls with the help of 3 sixes and 3 fours.

Utseya took three wickets, Chatara and Panyangara took two apiece, and Masakadza got one.

Zimbabwe started their innings to play the last few overs of the day. Ajmal took Tino Mawoyo's wicket in the day's final over when the hosts' score was just 13.

On the fifth day, Zimbabwe needed 329 runs on 9 wickets. The hosting side was under the test to face an expert bowling attack on a used track for whole 90 overs. But they could put up resistance for only 40 overs, and Junaid Khan, Abdur Rehman and Saeed Ajmal ended Zimbabwean innings on just 120.

Junaid got opponents' captain in his first over then Sibanda in next over, ending every chance of Zimbabwe's comeback. First innings' heroes Raza and Waller were dismissed by Abdul Rehman. At 58 Zimbabwe were half gone. Ajmal rammed into Zimbabwe's tailenders, taking his wickets' tally to 11 in the match. It was a massive 221-run win for Pakistan.

A Test match which remained in Zimbabwe's favour for the first three days culminated in their defeat, thanks to Pakistan's batsmen riveting performance on the fourth day and bowlers heroics on the fifth. Pakistani bowlers who were struggling in the first innings took 9 wickets only in one session in the second innings.

Younis was declared man of the match for playing one of the memorable innings of his career.

The second Test, which was supposed to take place in Bulawayo, has now been shifted to Harare for some reason. Now both teams will again face each other on September 10 at Harare Sports Club. Pakistan are leading 1-0 in the series.
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Anonymous at September 01, 2013 0
Pakistan lifted the ODI series 2-1 against Zimbabwe, winning the decisive match by 108 runs on the back of good performance in all departments.

[caption id="attachment_2264" align="alignright" width="300"]It was after 11 years that Pakistan won the decisive match of a series (Photo: AFP) It was after 11 years that Pakistan won the decisive match of a series (Photo: AFP)[/caption]

It was first time in 11 years that Pakistan won the series once it was levelled. They last time they did so was against Australia in 2002.

In today’s match at Harare, the hosts put the tourists into bat. Though Pakistani openers stood their ground until the 16th over, but once again it was a slow start for the team – 66 runs in 15.3 overs. The first batsman to be dismissed was Nasir Jamshed who scored 38 off 67. When Mohammad Hafeez got retired hurt at the total of 87, it seemed Pakistan were getting into hot water. But then came Misbah-ul-Haq, destined to be declared the player of the match.

Both Shehzad and Misbah guided the score forward quite slowly. The duo added mere 32 runs until the 33rd over. And when Shehzad finally decided to speed up the run rate, Hamilton Masakadza sent him packing. He scored 54 off 85.

At this stage, Umar Amin performed as needed. He helped the team make the most of the powerplay, making a quick 25-ball 33-run innings. Shahid Afridi once again failed to get into the double figures and fell prey to Tendai Chatara.

The need of the time was to expedite the run rate, and Misbah and Sarfaraz Ahmed played accordingly. Ahmed scored 22 off just 13 before being dismissed in the 49th over. Misbah, who had initially scored just 8 runs on 35 balls, completed is half-century on 74 balls. He lost his wicket on the fourth ball of the last over, scoring 67 runs.

Pakistan amassed 65 runs in the last 6 overs, which guided them to a respectable total of 260. The key partnership of 48 off 29 between Misbah and Sarfaraz perhaps snatched the match from the hosts.

Zimbabwe’s bowlers bowled skillfully in the first 40 overs, with Chatara giving only 15 runs in 6 overs and Prosper Utseya 23 in 7. Chatara gave 33 runs in his last 4 overs and Utseya gave 24 in 3.

Vusi Sibanda was the first to lose hi wicket as Zimbabwe started their chase. He was dismissed by Hafeez in the 4th over. Like Pakistan, the hosts also kept on dragging their innings at a snail’s pace. But Zimbabwe collapsed after H Masakadza lost his wicket in the 11th over, making 25 off 42.

Captain Brendan Taylor (26 off 29) lost his wicket in the space of 4 overs from Masakdza’s. Misbah’s direct throw ended his innings. As Zimbabwe were still reeling from the skipper’s loss, Sikandar Raza was lbw by Hafeez. Sean Williams faced the same fate as Taylor’s. Another throw by Misbah sent him packing. Half of Zimbabwe’s side was back to the pavilion on 75.

Malcolm Waller and Utseya tried to resist with 48 and 23 runs, respectively, but to no avail. They could only lead the score to 152 in 40 overs. Pakistan sealed victory by a huge margin and clinched the series 2-1.

Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman and Hafeez took two wickets apiece, where Afridi took one. Pakistan’s pacers could not claim a wicket.

Misbah was declared player of the match for his batting and fielding heroics, and Hafeez was given the player-of-the-series award for scoring most runs.

Now both teams will play the first Test from Sept 3 in Harare.
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Anonymous at August 28, 2013 0
It is said that the shorter the format of a cricket match, the lesser the difference between the team will be. That is, the chances of upset are higher if two teams are face-to-face in a Twenty20. But in Harare, it was the other way round. The way Pakistan crushed Zimbabwe in the T20 series and the way the hosts have risen like a phoenix in the first ODI suggest the theory doesn’t hold water. Zimbabwe’s seven-wicket victory has undoubtedly come as a stunning blow to Pakistan’s pride.

[caption id="attachment_2253" align="alignright" width="234"]Wonderful six by Sean Williams and a memorable win for Zimbabwe (Photo: AP) Wonderful six by Sean Williams and a memorable win for Zimbabwe (Photo: AP)[/caption]

It’s Zimbabwe’s first win over Pakistan in 15 years. The last time they beat Pakistan was back in 1998 when the green shirts lost the one-dayer by six wickets. But then, Zimbabwe were in their prime. And now, they are in depths of despair. Hamilton Masakadza’s 85-run riveting knock was surely the catalyst for the victory. The victory – Zimbabwe’s first against any team since October 2011 –has helped them take 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Masakadza made a partnership of 107 runs with Vusi Sibanda, laying the foundations of victory. The innings of captain Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams were also significant as both players stood firm against classy Pakistani bowlers. Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez and Shahid Afridi – who have high standing in different formats of the game – could not defend a target of 245 runs.

Zimbabwe’s opening stand ended in the 24th over when Sibanda was lbw by Ajmal. It was exactly the time when the tourists were in the position to turn the tables. But Masakadza and Taylor deprived Pakistan of that chance and a 69-run partnership for the second wicket took the game in an exciting phase. After the dismissals of Sibanda (54 off 82) and Masakadza (85 off 104), the responsibility was on skipper’s shoulders. And he did his job well. Sean Williams also shared his part with his quick 23-ball innings in which he made 39 runs, hitting a 6 and four 4s. Taylor remained not out on 43(59) and the hosts sailed to victory, thanks to the winning six by Williams in the 49th over.

Pakistani bowlers could only claim three wickets – two by Ajmal and one by Junaid.

Earlier, Pakistan elected to bat and started their innings with a slow start of 56 runs. Ahmed Shehzad failed to perform the way he did in the T20 series, and was back to the dressing room after scoring just 24 runs on 47 balls. Nasir Jamshed scored 27 runs on 53 balls. Pakistan lost both openers on 80.

Mohammad Hafeez and Misbah-ul-Haq posted a partnership of 99 runs for the third wicket. Hafeez’s 70 off 71 and Misbah’s 83 off 85 provided a platform to the upcoming batsmen, but they failed to make use of the innings. The team’s batting line-up got a blow as Umar Amin,1; Afridi, 11; Haris Sohail, 2; and Sarfaraz Ahmed, 7; lost their wickets successively. This slowed the pace of runs and when the 50 overs were completed, Pakistan could only make 244 runs at the loss of 7 wickets.

Brian Vitori and Tendai Chatara took two wickets apiece, whereas Prosper Utseya clinched one.

Hamilton Masakadza was declared as the player of the match.

Let’s see what strategy would be adopted by Pakistan in the second ODI on Aug 29 after their spinners’ failure in the first. Moreover, the tourists also need to check their fielding. Their sloppy fielding and missed catches suggested that they had taken Zimbabwe for granted after beating them in the T20s. And it’s evident how this thinking culminated in the seven-wicket loss.
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Anonymous at August 25, 2013 1
Another fiery innings by Ahmed Shehzad and an all-round innings by captain Mohammad Hafeez guided Pakistan to a 19-run victory in the second Twenty20 against Zimbabwe. The win helped the tourists clinch the series 2-0. Unfortunately, Shehzad failed to become the first Pakistan’s batsman to score a century in the T20s. He managed to score only one run on the last ball of the innings when he required three runs to achieve the milestone. However, he still has named the national record of the biggest T20 innings.

[caption id="attachment_2234" align="alignright" width="207"]Shehzad scored record 98* for Pakistan, including six towering sixes (Photo: AFP) Shehzad scored record 98* for Pakistan, including six towering sixes (Photo: AFP)[/caption]

Pakistan’s top-order played brilliantly in today’s match as compared to the tour opener. The team lost just one batsman – Nasir Jamshed – during the whole 20 overs, after which a record partnership of 143 runs between Shehzad and Hafeez continued till the end.  Shehzad scored 98 off 64. He hit six 6s – most by any Pakistani batsman in the format – and six 4s during his riveting knock. Hafeez amassed 54 off 40, hitting three 4s and two 6s.

Zimbabwe tried seven bowlers but all failed to lived up to expectations. Shingi Masakadza, the bowler who claimed the only wicket of the innings, gave 42 runs in his four overs.

Chasing a 180-run target, Zimbabwe’s openers Vusi Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza provided a good start of 50 runs. But as Pakistan’s spinners came into action, the remaining innings gave a sense of déjà vu to the hosts. Hafeez put the opponents on the backfoot, dismissing Sibanda, captain Brendan Taylor and H Masakadza in his consecutive three overs.

H Masakadza remained the top-scorer for the team with 41 runs, whereas Elton Chigumbura scored an unbeaten 35 off 19.

Hafeez took three wickets, Zulfiqar Babar took two while Anwar Ali took one wicket.

The three wickets in the match helped Hafeez become the first player to score half-century and take three or more wickets in a match four times. The player most close to Hafeez in this regard is Australia’s Shane Watson who has achieved this all-round performance thrice.

Ahmed Shehzad once again received the player-of-the-match award, along with the player-of-the-series award.

Now both teams will play a three-match ODI series and all matches will be played in Harare. A few changes in the team are apparent and the reins of captaincy will be in the hands of Misbah-ul-Haq.

Zimbabwe vs Pakistan


2nd Twenty20 International


August 24, 2013


Venue: Harare Sports Club


Result: Pakistan won by 19 runs


Player of the match: Ahmed Shehzad


Player of the series: Ahmed Shehzad

























































پاکستانRunsBalls4s6s
Ahmed Shehzadnot out986466
Nasir Jamshedc Chigumbura b SW Masakadza231731
Mohammad Hafeeznot out544032
Extras(w 3, nb 1)4
Total(1 wicket; 20 overs; 91 mins)179

 





























































Zimbabwe (bowling)OversMaidenRunsWickets
Prosper Utseya40350
Brian Vitori40410
Tinashe Panyangara40290
Shingi Masakadza40421
Sean Williams20150
Elton Chigumbura10130
Malcolm Waller1040

 






























































































زمبابوےTarget: 180 runsRunsBalls4s6s
Vusi Sibandac Sohail Tanvir b Mohammad Hafeez233330
Hamilton Masakadzac Umar Amin b Mohammad Hafeez413241
Brendan Taylorc Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Hafeez3400
Sean Williamsst Sarfraz Ahmed b Zulfiqar Babar251621
Elton Chigumburanot out351922
Timycen Marumac Mohammad Hafeez b Zulfiqar Babar0200
Malcolm Wallerc Shahid Afridi b Anwar Ali201421
Shingi Masakadzanot out0100
Extras(lb 7, w 5, nb 1)13
Total(6 wickets; 20 overs; 87 mins)160

 






















































Pakistan (bowling)OversMaidenRunsWickets
Sohail Tanvir40280
Asad Ali30260
Anwar Ali20241
Zulfiqar Babar41212
Shahid Afridi30240
Mohammad Hafeez41303
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Anonymous at August 24, 2013 0
Responsible batting by Ahmed Shehzad and an all-round performance by Shahid Afridi helped Pakistan clinch a 25-run victory against Zimbabwe in the first Twenty20. Although the hosts started their both innings well, they failed to outperform the experience of the tourists.

[caption id="attachment_2218" align="alignright" width="202"]Shahid Afridi scored 23 vital runs and took three wickets. However, Shehzad was declared as the man-of-the-match (Photo: AFP) Shahid Afridi scored 23 vital runs and took three wickets. However, Shehzad was declared as the man-of-the-match (Photo: AFP)[/caption]

Zimbabwe opted to bowl first after winning the toss of the match played at Harare Sports Club. They took the lead as the match started after Tendai Chatara sent packing Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez on 21 runs. The match’s outcome might have been different, but for Shehzad’s 70, debutant Sohaib Maqsood’s 26 and Afridi’s late 23. Shehzad’s role in the visitors’ batting was pivotal as he stood his ground after Pakistan had lost three earlier wickets.

His innings of 50-ball 70 came to an end when he had scored a partnership of 55 with Maqsood. In an attempt to further speed up the run rate, he gave a catch near lond-on boundary. His innings included six fours and one six.

Studded with two sixes and one four, Maqsood’s innings of 16 off 26 was quite impressive. A well running catch by Sibanda ended his knock in the 15th over.

Afridi’s 23 off 16 in the final moments helped Pakistan reach a respectable total of 161. He hit one six and one four in his quick knock.

Chatara took two wickets while Prosper Utseya, Shingi Masakadza and Chigumbura clinched one wicket apiece.

Zimbabwe’s batsmen gave a befitting start to the team. Openers Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda provided a good opening stand of 53 runs to the hosts, making the situation quite worrisome for Pakistani bowlers. However, Anwar Ali ended the partnership, which was going to be devastating for the tourists. Ali’s victim was Masakadza, who made 18 off 16. Then Pakistani skippers erected barriers for the hosts, making their chase difficult from easy, and then impossible at last.

Afridi clean bowled Sibanda (31 off 42) in the 13th over. Sean Williams was lbw in the next over by Mohammad Hafeez after making just nine runs. Now Zimbabwe were in the position where a comeback was almost impossible. Though captain Brendan Taylor was at the crease, the increasing run rate proved deadly. Afridi grabbed two more wickets – Timycen Maruma and Chigumbura – and the host could only make 136 in full 20 over at the loss of five wickets.

Afridi clinched three wickets, giving 25 runs, whereas Hafeez and Ali took one wicket each.

Shehzad was given the player-of-the-match award for playing the key innings of the days.

Having taken as unassailable lead in the two-match T20 series, Pakistan will take on Zimbabwe tomorrow (Saturday) at the same venue. A 2-0 win in the series will bring the green shirts closer to the top spot in the T20 rankings.

Zimbabwe vs Pakistan


1st Twenty 20 International


August 23, 2013


Venue: Harare Sports Club


Result: Pakistan won by 25 runs


Player of the match: Ahmed Shehzad

























































































پاکستانRunsBalls4s6s
Ahmed Shehzadc Waller b SW Masakadza705061
Nasir Jamshedc Vitori b Chatara2500
Mohammad Hafeezc †Taylor b Chatara3800
Umar Aminc †Taylor b Utseya141810
Sohaib Maqsoodc Sibanda b Chigumbura261612
Shahid Afridinot out231611
Anwar Alinot out10710
Extras(lb 5, w 8)13
Total(5 wickets; 20 overs; 92 mins)161

 






















































Zimbabwe (bowling)OversMaidenRunsWickets
Prosper Utseya40151
Tendai Chatara40302
Brian Vitori40260
Shingi Masakdza40371
Sean Williams20180
Elton Chigumbura20301

 






















































































زمبابوےTarget: 162 runsRunsBalls4s6s
Hamilton Masakadzalbw b Anwar Ali181630
Vusi Sibandab Shahid Afridi314230
Brendan Taylornot out323030
Sean Williamslbw b Mohammad Hafeez9710
Timycen Marumast Sarfraz Ahmed b Shahid Afridi101310
Elton Chigumburab Shahid Afridi6510
Malcolm Wallernot out14711
Extras(b 5, lb 2, w 9)16
Total(5 wickets; 20 overs; 83 mins)136

 






















































Pakistan (bowling)OversMaidenRunsWickets
Sohail Tanvir40230
Mohammad Irfan30180
Anwar Ali30211
Saeed Ajmal40300
Shahid Afridi40253
Mohammad Hafeez20121
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Anonymous at August 22, 2013 0
Haier, famous Chinese home appliances maker, will sponsor Pakistan’s tour of Zimbabwe, and the upcoming Test, ODI and Twenty20 series will now be called as “Haier Cup”.haier-cup-2013

Haier’s presence in Pakistan’s domestic cricket is quite obvious, but it’s the first time the company is sponsoring an international cricket event.

Interestingly, the cups logo depicts Pakistan’s all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who will be representing the team in one-dayers and T20s but not in Tests. So Afridi’s fans are not going to miss him anyway.

Though Pakistan Cricket Board has not yet officially announced the tour’s sponsor, Cricnama has obtained the logo through its sources, and now presenting it to its readers.

The tour officially starts from August 23 with the first T20 to be played at Harare.
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Anonymous at August 19, 2013 0
Zimbabwe's young fast bowler Kyle Jarvis has surprised the world by announcing his retirement and will not going to represent his team against Pakistan in the upcoming days.

[caption id="attachment_2196" align="alignright" width="205"]Young Zimbabwean Fast Bowler Announced Retirement Out of Nowhere Jarvis left international cricket at the age of only 24 (Photo: AFP)[/caption]

In a statement issued yesterday, Jarvis said he will now concentrate on county cricket only and will never come back to Zimbabwe. A few days earlier many Zimbabwean players boycotted the training camp over salary issues. Jarvis, who was one of those players, said he will now focus only on his county and T20 career as he is set to sign a three-year contract with Lancashire.

The 24-year-old bowler took 30 wickets in eight Tests; 27 in 24 ODIs; and 10 in nine T20s.

Zimbabwe, who had been gaining prominence on the international level in the late '90s, have been in decline for around 15 years because of poor decision making by the country's cricket board.

In past two years and a half, many key players have left the team, including  Sean Ervine, who left the side after World Cup 2011, and captain Tatenda Taibu, who took retirement at the age of just 29. And now the 24-year-old Jarvis has also parted ways with Zimbabwe
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Anonymous at August 07, 2013 1
Zimbabwe have announced the schedule for Pakistan tour of the country, according to which both teams will play two tests, three ODIs, and two T20s from Ausgust 23 to September 14.

[caption id="attachment_2128" align="alignright" width="300"]Pakistan Tour Zimbabwe Schedule Announced Pakistan won all the matches during 2011 tour of Zimbabwe. (Image: AFP)[/caption]

The tour will officially begin with a T20 on August 23 in Harare, followed by the second T20 the next day on the same venue.

The three ODIs will also be played Harare on August 27, 29, and 31. The same stadium will host the first Test to be started from September 3.

The second, and the last, Test of the series will be the only match to be played in Bulawayo. It will start from September 10.

This series was originally scheduled last year in December but was postponed because of historic series between Pakistan and India.

Below are Pakistan's squad for all the formats:

Test squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Asad Shafiq, Khurram Manzoor, Adnan Akmal (wk), Faisal Iqbal, Younis Khan, Azhar Ali, Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Rahat Ali, Ehsan Adil

ODI squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shahzad, Asad Shafiq, Umar Amin, Umar Akmal (wk), Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Abdul Rehman, Asad Ali, Anwar Ali, Haris Sohail

T20 squad: Mohammad Hafeez (capt), Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shahzad, Umar Amin, Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Zulfiqar Babar, Asad Ali, Anwar Ali, Haris Sohail

Pakistan's tour of Zimbabwe 2013: Complete schedule








































































DateVenue
August 23 ZimvsPak PakFirst T20iHarare
August 24 ZimvsPakistan PakSecond T20iHarare
August 27Zimbabwe ZimvsPakistan PakFirst ODIHarare
August 29Zimbabwe ZimvsPakistan PakSecond ODIHarare
August 31Zimbabwe ZimvsPakistan PakThird ODIHarare
September 3-7Zimbabwe ZimvsPakistan PakFirst TestHarare
September 10-14Zimbabwe ZimvsPakistan PakSecond TestBulawayo
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Anonymous at August 04, 2013 0
Expectations, possibilities or risks; call it whatever you will, Zimbabwe have bene defeated in the last ODI, too, by the world champions India, who have lifted the series 5-0 under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. Because of a lot of fresh blood in the Indian team and the fact that Zimbabwe were playing at home, it was expected that the hosts would carve out at least one upset win. But India whitewashed them, beating them also in the last match with a heavy margin of 7 wickets.

[caption id="attachment_2051" align="alignright" width="257"]India’s new captain is taking shape in the form of Virat Kohli (Photo: AFP) India’s new captain is taking shape in the form of Virat Kohli (Photo: AFP)[/caption]

The key player of the Indian victory was Amit Mishra, who claimed six wickets in the match, which helped him equal Javagal Srinath’s world record of the 18 wickets in a series. His performance restricted Zimbabwe, who India put into bat after winning the toss, to 163 runs.

Half of Zimbabwe’s team was back to the pavilion on just 72 and India had laid the foundations of victory even before the first innings was completed. Unfortunately, captain Brendan Taylor failed once again and was dismissed for a duck after facing 11 balls. Hamilton Masakadza was only among the top-order batsmen who played a respectable innings of 32.

Sean Williams and Elton Chigumbura added 50 runs in the sixth wicket until Mishra sent them packing in two back-to-back overs along with Tinotenda Mutombodzi. Brian Vitori tried to put up a resistance but Mishra dismissed them too and ended the hosts’ innings on 163. Williams was the top-scorer for Zimbabwe with 51 off 65.

Mishra took 6 wickets for 48 runs in 8.5 overs. Mohit Sharma, Jaydev Unadkat, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami all took one wicket each.

India’s start in the chase of a low total was not good as they lost their first batsman – Cheteshwar Pujara – in the first over. But then Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane took the score to 55 until Dhawan lost his wicket to Kyle Jarvis after scoring 41 off 38 with the help of 6 fours and 1 six. Ravindra Jadeja and Rahane added 71 runs in the third wicket, taking the score to 126. Rahane was dismissed after completing his half-century. Later India chased the target in the 34th over . Jadeja and Dinesh Karthik remained not out on 48 and 10, respectively.

Mishra earned the player-of-the-match award for his outstanding bowling.

After their return to home, India will start preparations to host Australia and South Africa, whereas Zimbabwe will get themselves ready to face Pakistan, who will leave for Zimbabwe at this month’s end.
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Anonymous at May 05, 2013 0
Sean Williams and Vusi Sibanda batted brilliantly to help Zimbabwe win the second ODI and level the series. It was Zimbabwe’s first victory in the last eight matches, and with that win the series result has been held over to the last match.

[caption id="attachment_837" align="alignright" width="300"]An unbeaten 78-run innings was enough to make Sean Williams the player of the match (Photo: AFP) An unbeaten 78-run innings was enough to make Sean Williams the player of the match (Photo: AFP)[/caption]

In the second ODI against Zimbabwe at the Bulawayo’s Queens Sports Club, a victory was a must for Zimbabwe as they had been trounced in the opening match. Their decision to bowl first after winning the toss proved fruitful for them as they sent half of the Bangladesh team back to pavilion for just 124 runs. But an innings of 53 off 22 by Abdur Razzak came as a terrible blow for the hosts. Razzak, who played a key role in the team’s win in the last ODI, worked miracles with the bat today. His innings studded with five sixes and four fours took Bangladesh’s score to 252 at the loss of nine wickets. Nasir Hossain and Shakib Al Hasan also scored 36 and 34, respectively.

Elton Chigumbura took three wickets, Tendai Chatara took two, while Kyle Jarvis and Prosper Utseya took one wicket apiece.

A target of 253 runs was massive for the hosts but they way they chased it shows their sheer brilliance and also reflects that their failure in the first ODI was temporary. A 65-run partnership between Sibanda and Pakistan-born Sikandar Raza made the matter easier for Zimbabwe. After the dismissals of both players with the space of a few balls, captain Brendan Taylor and Williams build a victorious partnership. Sibanda failed to complete his half-century and was dismissed on 49 off 51, while Raza scored 23.

Taylor and Williams added 73 runs in the fourth wicket, but when Taylor departed in the 35th over, Zimbabwe were still 86 runs away from victory. However, Williams, along with Malcolm Waller, achieved that goal, too. Taylor scored 37, while Williams with his splendid 78 and Waller with 39 runs remained not out. Williams faced 75 deliveries during his innings, which included one six.

Zimbabwe chased the target in the 48th over, claiming a six-wicket victory. Bangladesh’s Shafiul Islam took two wickets, while last match’s hero Ziaur Rahman and Shakib took one wicket each.

Sean Williams was given the man-of-the-match award for his outstanding performance.

The last and the decisive match between the two will be played on May 8 at the same venue.
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Anonymous at May 04, 2013 0
Bangladesh gave Zimbabwe a heavy 121-run defeat in the first One-day International, thanks to Nasir Hossain’s responsible batting and Ziaur Rahman’s destructive bowling. Now Bangladesh are leading 1-0 in the three-match ODI series.

[caption id="attachment_801" align="alignright" width="229"]Zimbabwe were 78 for two, but at 148 they were all gone (Photo: AFP) Zimbabwe were 78 for two, but at 148 they were all gone (Photo: AFP)[/caption]

Zimbabwe put Bangladesh into bat after winning the toss at Bulawayo’s Queens Sports Club. Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Ashraful gave Bangladesh a good opening stand of 65 runs, but soon after their dismissals in the 14th and 16th overs, respectively, the departure of Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan changed the scenario. At the time, Mominul Haque and Nasir Hossain added 76 crucial runs to the total. Momin played a relatively slow innings of 38 off 66, but it was the need of the time and he supported Hossain all the way.

Hossain’s innings was undoubtedly the best of the day. With the help of one six and seven fours, he scored 68 off 67 and when he went back to the pavilion, Zimbabwe’s score had crossed the 200 mark. Mahmudullah’s 36 runs in the final moments helped Bangladesh’s total reach 269, which proved enough to seal victory in the match.

Zimbabwe’s Shingi Masakadza took four, Tendai Chatara took two and Tinashe Panyangara took one wicket.

Chasing a 270-run target, Zimbabwe’s collapse started from the very beginning. After Regis Chakabva was dismissed in the second over, the debutant Sikandar Raza was also bowled out soon after. Both wickets were taken by Shafiul Islam. Pakistan-based Raza failed to make an impressive start of his career. After the addition of 65 runs in the third wicket, Zimbabwe got the decisive blow when Abdur Razzak bowled out in-form Zimbabwean captain Brendan Taylor. He could score 33 off 37. Afterwards, Zimbabwe’s fall of wickets seemed unstoppable. One of the most humiliating moments for the team was when they lost four wickets on the total of 93. Perhaps, Ziaur Rahman finished the opponent’s innings in two overs.

Bangladesh won by 121-run margin as Zimbabwe were restricted to 148 in 33 overs.

Ziaur Rahman took five wickets in nine overs at the expense of 30 runs, and was named as the player-of-the-match for his outstanding performance. Shafiul Islam took two, and Rabiul Islam and Abdur Razzak took one wicket apiece.

Both teams will now play on May 5 at the same venue.
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Anonymous at April 22, 2013 0

Read this in Urdu


Bangladesh, who have given tough time to major teams on their home ground, suffered a humiliating defeat in the hands of the weakest opponents of the Test format, Zimbabwe. The loss also brought a big blow to the Test status of “Tigers”. In the first Test played at Harare, Zimbabwe trounced Bangladesh by 335 runs, taking an unassailable lead in the two-match series, thanks to captain Brendan Taylor’s two hundreds and some spectacular bowling show by Kyle Jarvis and others.

[caption id="attachment_644" align="alignright" width="202"]Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor’s outstanding form continues. He scored hundreds in each innings and played a key role in team’s win (Photo: AFP) Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor’s outstanding form continues. He scored hundreds in each innings and played a key role in team’s win (Photo: AFP)[/caption]

It is Zimbabwe’s biggest win in the game’s history in terms of runs, and a continuation of dominance over Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe have a record of winning six matches against Bangladesh and four of them were in Harare. Bangladesh have won only one. Now the thing what adds insult to injury for Bangladesh is that the second and last Test is also in Harare.

Bangladesh, specifically famous for their batting talent, have recently drew a Test against Sri Lanka, But how they miserably failed in Harare is evident from the scorecard of their both innings. First innings, 134 all-out; second innings, bowled out on 147. No batsman could even score a half-century in both innings.

Five consecutive defeats put a question mark on Zimbabwe’s return to Test cricket, but the recent win must have boosted their confidence. On the other hand, Bangladesh might have fallen victim to the overconfidence they had been showing ever since their good performance against Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe made the most of familiar conditions, especially the way skipper Taylor performed can be gauged only by the fact that he scored 273 in the match against Bangladesh’s total of 281 by in both innings. Having played a remarkable innings of 171 in the first innings, Taylor declared Zimbabwe’s second innings when he was not-out on 102, given a gigantic 483-run target to the opponents. His second innings was more crucial as he helped Zimbabwe amass a total of 227 by carving out partnerships of 79 and 64 with Graeme Cremer and Keegan Meth, respectively, at a time when the team had lost six wickets on 84. With a huge lead, Talyor declared the innings and Bangladesh had to return to the ground. But they failed to extend the game to the fifth day as they were bowled out on the fourth day.

Bangladesh won the toss on the first day and put the hosts to bat who accumulated a good total of 389 runs mainly because Taylor’s 171. After Zimbabwe lost three wickets on 65, Taylor added 127 runs with Malcolm Waller on the fourth wicket and later partnered with Graeme Cremer to put another 106 runs in the kitty, taking Zimbabwe away from 300-run mark. Although the hosts lost wickets of Taylor and Cremer in succession, the team managed to add 45 runs in the last two wickets.  Waller scored 55 off 138 and Cremer scored 42 off 140, while Taylor played a riveting knock of 171 off 324 which included two sixes and eight fours. Zimbabwe’s first ended on 389 on the second day after the tea break.

Bangladesh Robiul Islam and Enamul Haque (Junior) took three wickets apiece, while Rubel Hossain and Sohag Gazi took two wickets each.

Bangladesh started off their first innings well; they were 95 for one when the second day ended. But the morning session of the third day proved disastrous for them. The trio of Keegan Meth, Shingi Masakadza and Kyle Jarvis ruined Bangladesh’s batting line-up as they lost six wickets on 134 by the lunch break. Zimbabwe’s bowlers have done their job remarkably well and they didn’t allow the opponents to add a single run after that and restricted them to 134. Jahurul Islam and Mohammad Ashraful, who scored 43 and 38, were the leading scorers. Shahriar Nafees was the only other batsman who could enter double figures. Bangladesh losing last seven wickets off just 11 runs is enough evidence of the team’s poor show.

Jarvis and Masakadzan took four wickets each and Meth took two. Having taken the huge lead of 225 in the first innings, Zimbabwe came to ground much confident in the second innings. They stood firm even after losing four wickets on 27, thanks to captain Taylor’s heroics from the other end. He took score to 227 runs managing partnerships with Cremer and Meth. Zimbabwe declared the innings on the same score on the first session of the fourth day and gave a 483-run target to Bangladesh, who once again failed to stand the hosts’ bowling attack.

In the second innings, Cremer took four and Jarvis took three wickets, while Masakadza and Elton Chigumbura each sent one batsman to pavilion.

Brendan was given man-of-the-match award for his superb performance.

Besides Zimbabwe’s outstanding batting and bowling efforts, their fielding was also extraordinary. They took some mind-blowing catches, including Mushfiqur Rahim’s catch by Brendan Taylor in the second slip on the last day Rabiul Islam’s catch by Jarvis in the same innings.

The second Test starts from April 25 in Harare.
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