Leading from the front, Aamir Sohail scored a brilliant 91, studded with nine exquisite boundaries and a six off Eddo Brandes to help Pakistan reach the victory target of 241 in 47.4 overs. This overhauled Zimbabwe's total of 237, accumulated in 49.3 overs and gave Pakistan a welcome win after a bad drubbing at the hands of Australia in Tests as well as one-day international series.

Both teams will play their second one-day international at the Sheikhupura Stadium on Sunday (November 22).

Pakistan was also served well by Yousuf Youhanna (55 not out of 80 balls with one six and two boundaries), Moin Khan (35 of 26 deliveries with one six and four boundaries) and Azhar Mahmood (17 not out of 35 balls with one four).

Yousuf Yohanna added 54 runs for the fourth wicket with his skipper off 62 deliveries when Pakistan was struggling at 87 for three. Thereafter, Yousuf Yohanna added 52 runs for the sixth wicket partnership with Moin Khan off 44 balls. That brought Pakistan's to 197, needing 41 runs to win.

Yohanna kept up the good work and added 44 runs with Azhar Mahmood (17 not out) for the unbroken seventh wicket stand. Azhar Mahmood swept Heath Streak for his only boundary which took Pakistan to the winning total.

Aamir Sohail, named Man-of-the-Match, earlier provided Pakistan a sound start with Saeed Anwar when the two left-handers put on 60 runs off 77 balls (19 of 29 balls) for the first-wicket partnership which laid a foundation for an easy sailing.

For a change, despite giving some shaky batting displays, the Pakistan players fought like a team and gave a superior display in all departments of the game. Their bowling was immaculate which restricted Zimbabwe to a not-so-big total. Catching of the Pakistanis, particularly of Wasim Akram and Yousuf Yohanna, was brilliant. Even the ground fielding of the Pakistanis was praise-worthy. Had there been discipline in the Pakistan batting, it would have wilted mid-way through. Pakistan is fast moulding into a fighting combination which augurs well for the future.

Zimbabwe, put into bat, failed to capitalize from a fine first-wicket stand of 75 runs between openers Neil Johnson and Grant Flower and were dismissed for 237 with three balls to spare.

Pakistan bowlers stuck to their task of bowling at a tidy length without allowing the batsmen to take liberties although a breakthrough came after a long wait. Neil Johnson (74), captain Alister Campbell (42) and Grant Flower (26), batted with a certain degree of responsibility but received not significant support from the other stroke-makers.

Neil Johnson continued his Sharjah form by top-scoring for Zimbabwe with a grand knock of 74. He was the fifth batsman out when the total was 154.

Johnson was dismissed when he attempted a big swing off Aamir Sohail to be smartly caught by Wasim Akram at square-leg. Akram held the ball a few inches above the ground.

Johnson faced 99 deliveries and he hit only four boundaries. He was a model of concentration until he tried the suicidal shot. Johnson and Grant Flower faced 85 deliveries during their first-wicket stand of 75 runs.

Wickets kept falling at regular intervals as the Pakistani bowlers did not allow the Zimbabwe innings to prosper.

Off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq was the most successful bowler as he got four wickets for 35 runs in his immaculate 9.3 overs. He got admirable support from the right-arm leg-spinner Shahid Afridi, who took three wickets for 45 runs.

Saqlain began his fine spell by claiming the wicket of Craig Evans at the total of 131. Andy Flower (4 on six balls) became Saqlain's second victim when he failed to read his floater and was leg before wicket.

Soon afterwards, Neil Johnson lost his cool and was out.

Shahid Afridi struck the first blow at the total of 161. Craig Wishart sneaked a delivery from Shahid Afridi straight into the hands of wicketkeeper Moin Khan after scoring only four.

Heath Streak hit first six of the innings straight over Shahid Afridi's head as the bowler sent down one short-pitched delivery. However, Heath was out while trying a similar shot off Saqlain Mushtaq. Near the boundary-line, Shoaib Akhtar took a well-judged catch after coming under the ball. The seventh Zimbabwe wicket fell at the total of 197. Heath Streak stayed at the crease for 29 minutes and scored 17. It was Saqlain's third wicket.

While wickets kept on tumbling on the other end, Alister Campbell tried to steady Zimbabwe's innings. Paul Strang was the eighth batsman out at the total of 223. He tried to hit Shahid Afridi out of the ground miscued his shot and Yousuf Yohanna held a good catch at long on. Paul Strang scored 13 on 18 balls. He was out on second delivery of the 49th over.

In the Shahid Afridi's ninth over, Alister Campbell lofted him over his head but was out on the very next delivery. Campbell went for another big hit but was well caught by Wasim Akram. The ninth wicket fell at the total of 229. It was Shahid Afridi's fifth ball of his ninth over.

Campbell hit one six and two boundaries in his fine knock of 42. He stayed at the crease for 70 minutes and played 57 balls.

Saqlain Mushtaq wound up the Zimbabwe innings at the total of 237 on third delivery of his tenth over. Eddo Brandes was tempted by the off-spinner to jump out of his crease for a bit hit on a short-pitched delivery but the batsman missed that completely to be smartly stumped by Moin Khan.