Pakistan keep WC hopes alive

Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 20 runs at the Brisbane today and kept their hopes alive for progressing on to the quarterfinals of the ICC cricket World Cup 2015.

Pakistan's shabby performance through the World Cup finally came to an end today with Mohammad Irfan and Wahab Riaz contributing to the team's first win in this tournament.

Choosing to bat first, Pakistan crawled throughout the innings to post a total of 235 riding on the half centuries of Misbah-ul-Haq and number eight batsman Wahab Riaz.

Zimbabwe bowled a disciplined length to curb Pakistan for the majority of the innings. Tendai Chatara got three wickets, Sean Williams two and Mupariwa and Raza one each.

In reply, Mohammad Irfan made early breakthroughs into start of Zimbabwe batting. Wickets, from then on, fell regularly with only Brendon Taylor, 50, making a major resistance.

Though Elton Chigumbura managed to bring the chase to a close finish, Pakistan bowlers curbed Zimbabwe 20 runs short of the target with two balls remaining in play.

Mohammad Irfan and Wahab Riaz claimed four wickets each while Rahat Ali claimed one. Wahab Riaz was made man of the match for his contribution.

Pakistan Team

Ahmed Shehzad, Nasir Jamshed, Haris Sohail, Misbah-ul-Haq (C), Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal (wk), Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan

Zimbabwe Team

Chamu Chibhabha, Sikandar Raza, Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Elton Chigumbura (C), Solomon Mire, Tawanda Mupariwa, Tinashe Panyangara, Tendai Chatara