Pakistan seal the series 2-1, their second consecutive come-from-behind ODI series win after similar success in Australia earlier this month. Kamran Ghulam’s maiden ODI hundred and a clinical bowling performance saw Pakistan ease to a 99-run win in Bulawayo. His century comes in just the seventh innings of his ODI career.
Ghulam was uncertain early on, nearly chipping one straight back to Sean Williams off his eighth ball. When Williams dragged one down the following over, though, Ghulam walloped it over deep midwicket for six, and that seemed to free him up. Alongside Shafique, he helped Pakistan tick over at a steady, if unspectacular rate, and the 100 came up in 22 overs. Sikandar Raza broke that stand soon after, though, trapping Shafique in front as he miscued his sweep, right after he got to his half-century. Abdullah Shafique then joined forces with Kamran Ghulam, adding a respectable 54 runs for the second wicket, which pushed Pakistan’s total to 112. Unfortunately, Abdullah fell to the bowling of Sikandar Raza after scoring 50 runs off 68 balls. Kamran then partnered with Rizwan, who managed 37 runs off 47 balls, as they forged a solid 89-run third-wicket partnership before Rizwan himself succumbed to Raza.
He completed his century in 97 balls, including 12 boundaries and a six, showcasing his class and temperament. The 27-year-old’s milestone knock came to an end when he miscued a slower ball from Richard Ngarava, caught at sweeper cover for 103. Can this be a time when a young talented batter from Pakistan can overshadow their aces Babar Azam and Rizwan.
