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Ejaz century inspires Pakistan to series win

by Shahid A.Hashmi for AFP
24 November 1998



RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Nov 24 (AFP) - Ejaz Ahmed hit a superb century as Pakistan trounced Zimbabwe by 111 runs in the third and final one-day international here on Tuesday. The win enabled Pakistan to take the three match one-day series 2-1 and salvaged some pride after being thrashed 3-0 by Australia earlier in the month.

Ejaz hit a scintillating 132, the highest score by a Pakistani in meetings with Zimbabwe, while opener Saeed Anwer chipped in with a well crafted 73 in Pakistan's highest ever one-day total against Zimbabwe of 302-6. The tourists were all out for 191 in 37.2 overs with Andrew Flower playing in his 100th one day international making a painstaking 61.

Zimbabwe never found the going easy once reunited pacemen Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis removed both the openers with just 29 on the board. Waqar, playing his first match for Pakistan this season becuase of a persistent elbow injury, dismissed Grant Flower with his eighth ball, caught behind off a late out swing for 11.

Wasim then claimed the wicket of Zimbabwe's most consistent batsman Neil Johnson, caught by Moin Khan for 11. Murray Goodwin looked well set but edged one from Aaqib Javed to keeper Moin for 29. He added 51 with Andrew Flower for the second wicket. Off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq chipped in with three wickets to have the tourists reeling at 110-6.

Saqlain removed Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell (3) and Craig Whishart (6) - both bowled. Gavin Rennie made 6 before he was caught by Inzamam off Saqlain. ``It was a great team effort and Waqar's return helped us get the initial breakthrough, `` Pakistan captain Aamir Sohail said.

Earlier Pakistan, put into bat, were indebted to Ejaz who punished all of the Zimbabwe bowlers. Ejaz, whose ninth one-day century came off just 86 balls with six fours and four sixes, hit nine boundaries and four sixes in his 132 which ended on the final ball of the allotted 50 overs when he was caught at deep cover.

He put on 97 runs for the third wicket with Inzamam-ul-Haq and 54 with Wasim Akram. Pakistan had been given a flying start by Saeed Anwer and Aamir Sohail, who put on 77 for the first wicket. Saeed punished some poor bowling by the Zimbabweans and raced to his 50 off just 39 balls hitting six fours and a six. Sohail was the first to go, bowled by off-spinner Andrew Whittall for 20. Anwer fell with the score on 110 when attempting a single to point he was sent back but failed to regain his crease after making 73. His innings lasted for 63 balls and included nine fours and a six.

Inzamam struggled to 34 off 61 balls before being caught by Murray Goodwin off fast bowler Heath Streak. Pakistan won the first match at Gujranwala by four wickets. Zimbabwe settled the score with a six wicket win in the second match at Sheikhupura. The first Test is at Peshawar on November 27. The second and final Tests will be played at Lahore and Faisalabad respectively.


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