Zimbabwe vs Pakistan, Only Test Debate

Zimbabwe's return to test cricket continues, The only test against Pakistan is underway.
Zimbabwe are missing Elton Chigumbura who's out injured, and Greg Lamb who troubled the Pakistanis is in his place in the XI.
For Pakistan, they are trying a rather inexperienced bowling unit that include Sohail Khan, Junaid Khan, and Aizaz Cheema alongside Saeed Ajmal.
Here is the place to debate on this test.

Zimbabwe openers have got off to a good start, putting on 49 already.

Its too early, but it seems Zimbabwe has got the makings of having a decent opening pair with the bat as well as the ball. Sibanda and Mawoyo, and Jarvis and Vitori

where is the test being played?

Bulawayo, CF.

Zim 74-1 at lunch. Sibanda the man out for 45. Ajmal the wicket taker.
Strange from Pakistan, won the toss and bowled on a flat track, and only went for the one spinner. Zimbabwe seem to struggle against Ajmal at the moment.

very odd from pakistan, choosing to bowl on a flat pitch, surely rehman should have played

how is saeed ajmal bowling?

cricketfan90 wrote:how is saeed ajmal bowling?

Looks like the only one capable of getting a wicket. Zim 140-3, and all 3 went to Ajmal.

Pakistan are playing 3 relatively unknown seamers in this match, but non of Aizaz Cheema, Junaid Khan, or Sohail Khan look like test class. Sohail Tanvir is in the squad, but he isn't there in the ZI. strange indeed.

At last, a Pakistan seamer has got among the wicket. Sohail Khan gets Taibu.

Is this not on sky?

Ten Cricket shows it in India.

A superb first day for Zimabwe, 245-4. What if they haven't scored at 4 runs pir over, They have shown everyone they are here for a fight. brilliant effort from Tino Mawoyo, batting through the dy to remain notout on 82 and provide the team with a strong foundation. Taibu and Sibanda got starts but could not convert, and Ervine has looked good in his stay so far. Hopes they continue the fight tomorrow and beyond.

Pakistan much hyped pace reserves now seem empty.

Where is Gul and Riaz? Both are rapid and bowl the toe breaking yorker.

Junaid Khan is the poor man's Mohammad Amir, and will never match Amir.

I'm guessing Pakistani fans are gutted about Asif and Amir being banned.

On the other side of the coin, I;m delighted how Zimbabwe had gone abot their return to Test cricket. They seem much more mentally stronger and don't seem fazed.

how many wickets has ajmal got?

Zimbabwe finished their first innings at 412!!. Absolutely brilliant from them opener Tino Mawoyo carrying his bat for 163. He took his time and made the bowlers work really hard. Taibu, Sibanda, Ervine and Lamb, all got starts. Terrific, showing the value of keeping your wicket. Bangladesh should learn from Mawoyo and the rest of Zimbabwe, and even some of the high profiled sides have a thing or 2 to pick up from their approach. Tino is playing only his 2nd test match!!!.

And Pakistan has already lost one, Taufeeq Umar LBW to Jarvis, Hafeez is there just because he was dropped by Taylor.

how many wickets did ajmal finish with?

looks like pakistan cruised to 119-1 in the end, hafeez with a very quick innings so far.

Pak 196-2, Hafeez getting out just before lunch for 119. Hamilton Masakatza the wicket taker for Zimbabwe.

Lamb gets Azhar Ali. Misbah and Younis in the middle, 228-3.

gonna be a bore draw

A draw should be a fine result for Zimbabwe!.
They have dropped a few catches, otherwise things would have been even more dificult for Pakistan. Even earlier, Zimbabwe's one major strong point was their fielding, a department in which they could stand up among the very best in the world. They should show some of those skills now, their batting, at least in home conditions, have shown great tenacity, and Vitori, Jarvis and Mpofu provide them a decent pace attack.
By the early looks of it, Zimbabwe can play some good test cricket. They may not win many, may not save a lot either, but they have the makings of a good side that can fight it out.

This is Zimbabwe's match to lose, and it seems they are doing just that. Both openers gone for only 19.
They better look to score a few at a bit more pace.

i like the look of zimbabwe's pace attack now.

zimbabwe thrown it away for themselvess