By SS
April 3 2003

Pakistan with only 4 players from their World Cup Squad hammered Zimbabwe by 68 runs. Abdul Razzaq hit the Zimbo attack all around the park to enable Pakistan to reach 278 for 7 and the Pakistani bowlers restricted Zimbabwe to 210 all out. It was a successful start for Rashid Latif and his band of youngsters today in Sharjah, as Pakistan easily beat Zimbabwe by 68 runs in the opening match of the four team tournament. In winning by this healthy margin, Pakistan also gained a useful bonus point.

With only 4 survivors from Pakistans World Cup debacle in todays line up, it was going to be a testing occasion for those making their debuts and also those returning to the international fold after long absences.

At 69 for 4, having won the toss on a placid batting track and against at best mediocre bowling, Pakistani fans must have been thinking here we go again, but this time things were different. But, in Younis Khan, Rashid Latif and Abdur Razzaq, Pakistan found the middle order punch that was lacking during the World Cup and rattled up a challenging 278 for 7. Razzaq smashed 76 from just 53 balls, which included 7 sixes and 2 fours. For those lucky enough to watch this Razzaq onslaught it must have been just like watching the Abdul Razzaq that was formerly known as Abdur Razzaq.

For a Zimbabwe team packed with all rounders and without Andy Flower, it was always going to be a very difficult total to chase. They could only muster 210 runs and were never really in with a serious shout of winning this match. Marilliers 50 was their top score as the Pakistani bowlers and fielders stuck to their task admirably.

Umer Gul made an excellent start to his international career picking up 2 for 25 in his 7 overs and Mohammad Hafeez made more of an impression with the ball than he did with the bat, picking up 2 for 41 in his 10 overs. Danish Kaneria and Abdul Razzaq also picked up 2 wickets each, as the Pakistani bowlers shared the wickets around, and one should also mention Sami who bowled with a lot of pace and venom on a slow wicket.

Although this was just the first match of the tournament and was not against the most formidable opposition in world cricket, one must congratulate the Pakistani team in the way they gelled and performed today.

The big names, the big egos, the big salaries, the big reputations and the big mouths were missing, but more importantly the willingness to win, the willingness to give 100%, the willingness to support the captain was obviously evident.

Tomorrows match against the Lankans will prove to be a much tougher assignment and it will be interesting to see how Rashid Latifs boys perform.