BLESSING AND THE WILLO! Zimbabwe finally break losing streak with super-over win

Zimbabwe broke a losing streak of ODIs when they beat Pakistan with a super over win at Rawalpindi.

Blessing Muzarabani took seven wickets, five in the 50 overs and two in the super-over eliminator to win the match for Zimbabwe. Muzarabani took 5-49 and 2-2 in the super over.

This was after a soul-sapping 100 partnership between Wahab Riaz and captain Barbar Azam looked to hand Zimbabwe another heartbreaking loss with the end in sight.

In that time, Riaz had been dropped when Sikandar Raza dropped a dolly with the batsman on 38.

Riaz departed when he mistimed one off Muzarabani and Sean Williams collected.

When he returned in the 49th over, it seemed like a lost cause. Not for Muzarabani.

With the penultimate ball of the over, Muzarabani delivered a slow ball, Shaheen Shah Afridi holed one out, Raza called for it, running in deep cover, collected.

In that time, Azam on 125 had run over to the other side.

Muzarabani bowled short, Azam gloved it, and Brendan Taylor, the keeper caught it.

Fast forward to the final ball of the match. Pakistan needed five to win. Muhammad Musa drove it, Tendai Chisoro went down in installments and it was a tie.

Because this match falls under World Cup qualification, it was played under Super Sixes rules which meant it needed to go to a super over.

Muzarabani returned with the ball and his first delivery saw Ifthikar Ahmed sky one and Craig Ervine collected.

Fakhar Zaman entered and with Khushdil Shah could only add two more runs. Khushdil then was removed with the fourth ball which meant Zimbabwe needed three to win the match.

Taylor and Raza came out to face Shaheen. They needed three balls to cap a famous win. Raza scored the winning runs.

Earlier Williams had scored an unbeaten 118 as Zimbabwe scored 278 for the loss of seven wickets.

It was an impressive feat as they found themselves 22 for the loss of three wickets at some point.

The middle order kicked in and Brendan Taylor’s 56, Raza’s 45 along with the precocious Wessly Madhevere’s 33 helped Zimbabwe to a big total from their 50 overs.

Mohammad Hasnain took 5-26.

But Zimbabwe would not be denied in the end. The series may have been gone but the win gives them 10 points in the ICC Super League.