HARARE: The sixth match of the U19 ODI tri-series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe has been washed out due to persitant rain here on Sunday at the Old Hararians Sports Club.
Zimbabwe were unable to resume their batting in the second innings as continuous rain showers interrupted play, leaving the officials with no option but to abandon the contest.
Despite the washout, both teams have already secured their places in the tri-series final, which is scheduled to be held on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, Zimbabwe produced an impressive bowling display to dismiss the green shirts for 208 in 46.3 overs.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Pakistan got off to a promising start as the opening pair of Ali Hassan Baloch and Sameer Minhas began scoring runs steadily.
However, the 25-run opening stand was broken when Shelton Mazvitorera dismissed Hassan Baloch for three off six deliveries.
Minhas and Usman Khan then joined forces to stabilize the innings after the early breakthrough, with both batters finding the boundary and putting pressure on the Zimbabwean bowlers.
It was Leeroy Chiwaula who ended the 63-run partnership, claiming the key wicket of Sameer Minhas, who fell short of a half-century, scoring 48 off 58 deliveries with seven fours. Pakistan was 88-2 in 16.1 overs at that stage.
In the 19th over, the Pakistan innings suffered another setback as Mohammad Shayan was dismissed cheaply for one off seven deliveries by Chiwaula, who picked up his second wicket.
Wickets continued to fall regularly, with Usman Khan falling to Michael Blignaut for 41 off 53 balls, which included four fours and one six.
The team’s captain, Farhan Yousaf, was dismissed cheaply for 12 off 19 deliveries by Kian Blignaut on the first ball of the 27th over, leaving Pakistan at 123-5.
Huzaifa Ahsan and Ahmed Hussain then forged a 71-run partnership to help the team recover and cross the 150-run mark. However, Huzaifa was dismissed by Mazai for 34 off 41 deliveries, including two fours and two sixes.
In the same over, Momin Qamar fell for a second-ball duck, also to Mazai, leaving Pakistan at 194-7 in 41.3 overs.
Mazai continued his fine spell by dismissing Ahmed Hussain for 37 off 70 balls and then Mohammad Sayyam for one off four deliveries, finishing with four crucial wickets.
Niqab Shafiq was the final batter to be dismissed, scoring two off 11 deliveries, with Mazvitorera claiming his second wicket.
For the hosts, Panashe Mazai led the bowling attack with figures of 4/32 in eight overs, while Shelton Mazvitorera and Leeroy Chiwaula picked up two wickets each.
Michael Blignaut and Kian Blignaut also contributed with one wicket apiece.
