Bulawayo (Web Desk): Zimbabwe cruised to an 80-run victory over Pakistan in the first one-day international (ODI) of their three-match series at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, with the win coming via the Duckworth-Lewis (DLS) method after rain interrupted Green Shirts' chase.
Zimbabwe posted a total of 206 all out in 40.2 overs, with Pakistan's spinners, Salman Ali Agha and debutant Faisal Akram, dominating the innings.
Both bowlers claimed three wickets each to dismantle the Zimbabwean batting line-up. Aamir Jamal and Mohammad Hasnain were the most expensive, going for over 40 runs each without taking a wicket.
The hosts lost early wickets, including opener Joylord Gumbie (15) and Dion Myers (8), while captain Craig Ervine (6) also failed to make an impact.
A steady 39 from Sikandar Raza and a valiant 48 from tail-ender Richard Ngarava provided some resistance, but Pakistan wrapped up Zimbabwe's innings with relative ease.
Pakistan's chase of 207 began disastrously, as they slumped to 60/6 by the 21st over, with
Zimbabwe's bowlers putting them under relentless pressure.
The rain delay ultimately led to the match being abandoned, with Zimbabwe leading the series 1-0.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and decided to field first against Zimbabwe.
The Pakistan squad saw changes, with uncapped players joining the team, including pacers Shahnawaz Dahani and Ahmed Daniyal.
Following the three ODIs, the two teams will next face off in a series of T20Is, with three matches set to take place at the same venue in Bulawayo.
Teams
Zimbabwe: Craig Ervine (captain), Brian Bennett, Blessing Muzarabani, Brandon Mavuta, Dion Myers, Joylord Gumbie, Richard Ngarava, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Trevor Gwandu.
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain) and Saim Ayub.