Journalism of Courage
Pakistan, coming in after two morale shattering defeats, faced Zimbabwe. It was low scoring affair in which Pakistan survived a scare, thanks to Mohammad Irfan and Wahab Riaz who took four wickets each to restrict Zimbabwe to 215, 20 short of Pakistan's 235. (Source: Reuters)
Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first but Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad were sent back to the pavilion early by the Zimbabwean bowlers. Pakistan were 4/2. (Source: Reuters)
Haris Sohail did stay there for some time but it was the partnership of Umar Akmal and Misbah-ul-Haq that took them past 100. Akmal and Misbah shared a 69-run stand. (Source: AP)
Then came an over from Sean Williams. He first dismissed Akmal then bowled birthday boy Shahid Afridi for a duck. Afridi now has 30 ducks in ODIs - most by a Pakistan player and second most in ODIs. (Source: Reuters)
Misbha, as often, fought a lone battle. He batted for 121 balls for his 73 and when he tried playing a lofted shot, he was caught at long-on. (Source: AP)
Pakistan were finding it difficult to go past 200 but Wahab Riaz scored 54* off 46 balls to help them post 235/. (Source: Reuters)
Zimbabwe chase began on a rather cautious note. Openers were served bouncers from Mohammad Irfan and the other pacers beat their bats every second ball. Sikander Raza survived one! (Source: Reuters)
After Irfan sent the Zimbabwe openers back in the hut, other Pakistan pacers joined the party and picked wickets. Wahab picked up important wickets of Taylor and Ervine to derail Zimbabwe's chase. (Source: Reuters)
Shahid Afridi didn't have a ideal birthday but he made up for the batting. He, bowling his last over, produced a maiden over (47th) when Zimbabwe seemed to have pulled off a stunning chase. (Source: Reuters)
Wahab Riaz finished off the things with wickets in the last over. Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 20 runs for their first win of this World Cup. (Source: Reuters)
