Zimbabwe loses way after good start

ST. JOHN'S (ANTIGUA), APRIL 5. Zimbabwe failed to consolidate on a good start and reached a modest 199 for nine in the third match of the tri-series against Pakistan here today.

Electing to bat, the Zimbabwe openers Neil Johnson and Grant Flower added 59 by the 15th over before Grant Flower spooned a catch to Younis Khan at midwicket off Abdur Razzaq. Johnson, who was looking good, followed Flower two runs later, caught by Nazir off off-spinner Arshad for 20.

The Zimbabwe innings never got going after the two dismissals with the Pakistanis cutting all scoring routes. The ever-reliable Murray Goodwin and Stuart Carlisle tried their bit to put the team back on the rails but they too perished in quick succession. Carlisle fell to leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, making a return to international cricket, and Goodwin became Afridi's first victim.

It was left to Guy Whittall (31) and Heath Streak (15), who added 37 runs for the seventh wicket, to lend some respectability to the Zimbabwe total.

The Pakistanis, playing their first match of the tournament, looked razor sharp on the field. Arshad Khan was the pick of the bowlers, conceding just 26 runs off his 10 overs while taking a wicket. He was well supported by Mohd. Akram (two for 31) and Afridi (two for 35). Young Imran Nazir, who impressed with the bat during the Sharjah tournament, snapped up three catches.

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Section  : Sport
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