After suffering two back to back humiliating defeats, Pakistan bounced back in style and registered their first victory of the World Cup 2015 against Zimbabwe at Gabba, Brisbane.
Earlier, Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat first. The Zimbabwean bowlers started beautifully, removing Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad early. Then came Misbah-ul-Haq and Haris Sohail in the middle and started playing slowly. Sohail too got out and followed him was Umar Akmal. Birthday boy Shahid Afridi again proved to be a failure and was bowled by Sean Williams for a golden duck. Sohaib Maqsood and Misbah plundered some runs before Maqsood fell to a soft dismissal.
Misbah was joined by Wahab Riaz and the pair started belting runs at a good pace. Misbah after fighting so hard, got out in the later stage of the game. Wahab Riaz struck a well crafted half-century and became a pivotal figure in taking Pakistan's score to a challenging 235.
In reply, Zimbabwe were off to a shaky start as openers Chamu Chabhabha and and Sikandra Raza opted playing cautiously. But they were given the early setback when Chabhabha was dismissed for mere nine off Mohammad Irfan after being caught by Haris Sohail. Raza followed Chibhabha's footsteps and departed almost in the same manner with Mohammad Irfan grabbing his second scalp.
The experienced duo of Hamilton Masakdza and Brendon Taylor stitched a 52-run stand before Masakadza fell to Irfan. Then came Sean Williams and he along with Taylor put up a good 54-run stand. Taylor also got his 32nd ODI half-century before departing off Wahab Riaz. The big wicket and the game changer took place when Sean Williams became prey to Rahat Ali. Irfan was brought back and he did what his skipper wanted. He picked up the wicket of Solomon Mire and was followed by another couple of quick wickets by Riaz.
The pair of Elton Chigumbura and Tinashe Panyangara also couldn't solve the team's puzzle as Zimbabwe got bundled out for 215, thus handing Pakistan a win by 20 runs.
Later, Wahab Riaz was declared the Man of the Match for his all-round showing with both willow and the ball.