Big Pakistan win, packed crowd mark historic match

KARACHI: It was a big occasion and for once Pakistan didn’t disappoint their eager fans.
The hosts made short work of Zimbabwe in the first Twenty20 International at a packed Gaddafi Stadium as international cricket returned to the country after six years.
It seemed that Pakistan had made their task a bit tricky when they allowed Zimbabwe, who opted to bat first, to post 172-6.
But openers Mukhtar Ahmed and Ahmed Shehzad made sure that the Pakistanis faced no major problem during the run-chase.
Mukhtar, playing only his second Twenty20 International, stole the limelight as he hammered the Zimbabwean bowlers with an enviable ease. When he departed after making 83 off just 45 balls, Pakistan were 144 in the 15th over, just inches away from victory.
The superbly confident Mukhtar hit the Zimbabweans disdainfully for 12 fours and three sixes.
The 22-year-old right-hander dominated the proceedings as Ahmed Shehzad played second fiddle to him. He got out when he tried to hit AG Cremer for a six, but found the long-on fielder.
Ahmed Shehzad hit a quickfire 55 off 39 balls to make things comfortable for Pakistan. He smashed six fours and a six and put on 142 for the first wicket with Mukhtar from 13.3 overs.
Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal and Shoaib Malik, who had returned to the team after one year, fell cheaply to leave Pakistan needing four runs of the last four balls of the last over.
But captain Shahid Afridi ensured there was no more drama as he hit the first ball he faced for a four straight over the bowler’s head to seal the victory.
Earlier, skipper Elton Chigumbura hit a career best 54 to lead Zimbabwe to 172-6.
Chigumbura hit eight boundaries and a six in his 35-ball knock after Zimbabwe won the toss and decided to bat.
Opener Hamilton Masakadza scored 43.
Mohammad Sami, who returned to the national team after around three years, took three wickets for 36 runs in his four overs. Young Bilawal Bhatti was expensive as he gave away 37 in three overs and went wicket-less.
Wahab Riaz grabbed two wickets in his four overs, conceding 38 runs.
Malik did well with the ball, conceding only 12 off his three overs and taking the wicket of Sean Williams.
Pakistan had not hosted any international cricket since terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009 forced international teams to refuse tours to Pakistan.
Strict security was put in place with 4,000 policemen on duty but that did not stop the cricket deprived fans to pack the 27,000 capacity stadium.
The second Twenty20 will be played on Sunday and will be followed by three One-day Internationals on May 26, 29 and 31 — all in Lahore.
Score Board
Zimbabwe won toss
Zimbabwe
H Masakadza b Sami 43
V Sibanda c Sarfraz b Sami 13
C K Coventry c Sarfraz b Wahab 14
*E Chigumbura b Wahab 54
S C Williams c Wahab b Shoaib 16
Sikandar Raza c Ahmed b Sami 17
†R Mutumbami not out 4
A G Cremer not out 2
Extras (lb 3, w 5, nb 1) 9
Total (6 wickets; 20 overs) 172
Did not bat: T Panyangara, C B Mpofu, B V Vitori
Fall: 1-58, 2-58, 3-73, 4-100, 5-142, 6-168
Bowling: Anwar 3-0-18-0; Sami 4-0-36-3 (1w); Bilawal 3-0-37-0 (1nb); Wahab 4-0-38-2 (4w); Shahid 3-0-28-0; Shoaib 3-0-12-1
Pakistan
Mukhtar Ahmed c Mutumbami b Cremer 83
Ahmed Shehzad c Mutumbami b Williams 55
M Hafeez c Coventry b Cremer 12
Shoaib Malik b Panyangara 7
Umar Akmal c Sibanda b Vitori 4
†Sarfraz Ahmed not out 3
*Shahid Afridi not out 4
Extras (lb 5) 5
Total (5 wickets; 19.3 overs) 173
To bat: Anwar Ali, Bilawal Bhatti, M Sami, Wahab Riaz
Fall: 1-142, 2-144, 3-157, 4-162, 5-169
Bowling: Panyangara 2.3-0-28-1; Vitori 4-0-24-1; Mpofu 3-0-32-0; Williams 4-0-33-1; Cremer 4-0-28-2; Sikandar 2-0-23-0
Result: Pakistan won by 5 wickets
Series: Pakistan lead the 2-match series by 1-0
T20I debut: R Mutumbami (Zimbabwe)
Man of the Match: Mukhtar Ahmed (Pakistan)
Umpires: Ahsan Raza and Shozab Raza. TV umpire: Ahmed Shahab. Match referee: Azhar Khan