3 things we learned about Zimbabwe from their victory over Pakistan in the third ODI

Zimbabwe pulled off a super over eliminator victory over Pakistan in the third ODI on Tuesday.

The win breaks a losing streak that ran an eye-popping 10 games and earns Zimbabwe their first points in the ICC Super League.

These are the things we learned.

1. Blessing Muzarabani is what Zimbabwe have been missing: Muzarabani is a pure strike bowler, and as he grew into the game his aggression increased. He is a thinker and well-deserved his first five-wicket haul. What he did in the super over is something we have watched players from other countries do and never really thought Zimbabwe could do.
2. Zimbabwe can put up a fight: From 22-3, the Southern African side built their innings with controlled aggression and finding the boundary regularly. Where they found themselves was not great but that the players backed themselves, with the warrior that is Sean Williams anchoring it all, an unbeaten 118 to boot, Zimbabwe showed they were not here to fulfil a fixture. And after the disappointment of a tie, to come back and still deliver in the super over shows that with games, this side can win more than it loses.
3. Brendan Taylor is a national treasure: We often talk about his batting and in this series it has shone. But there is so much more to Taylor. Behind the stumps, at 34, with the gloves, he is as energetic and involved as ever. And when wickets are taken, he celebrates as if he took it himself. We are seeing a very committed, hungry Taylor. The one we have always liked. And he is delivering at a level of class above the rest in the squad. Lovely stuff.

Tell us what else you saw from the match in the comments below.

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