The Hindu : Sport : Pakistan bows out with a win

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Friday, Mar 23, 2007
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Pakistan bows out with a win

Kingston: Pakistan, on the back of 160 from Imran Nazir, clobbered Zimbabwe by 93 runs in a rain-reduced contest on Wednesday.

The result confirms that Ireland will join the West Indies as qualifiers for the Super Eight round of the tournament, while both Pakistan and Zimbabwe head home.

The Pakistanis honoured the memory of coach Bob Woolmer, who died the day after an upset loss to Ireland, as Nazir set up a mammoth total of 349 all out off 49.5 overs. The right-hander lashed 14 fours and 8 sixes off 121 balls.

Emotional moments

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq contributed a classy 37 off 35 balls in his 378th and final one-day international.

After an emotional few days, Inzamam left the field in tears and was given a guard of honour by his teammates and received handshakes from all the Zimbabweans.

Zimbabwe's pursuit was already struggling at 30 for three off 10.2 overs when light rain caused a delay of 2-1/2 hours.

The victory target was reduced to 193 off 20 overs on resumption and Zimbabwe was eventually bowled out for 99 off 19.1 overs.

Elton Chigumbura hit four sixes, including three off consecutive deliveries from leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, on his way to a topscore of 27 off 11 balls.

Shahid Afridi collected his 200th one-day international wicket and had figures of three for 20.

Earlier, Nazir's second one-day international century lifted Pakistan to its highest ever World Cup total. The total was also the highest ever at the venue.

The 25-year-old Nazir endured a scratchy start but blossomed to play some majestic strokes all around the ground.

He and Kamran Akmal added 31 for the first wicket before Chigumbura had Akmal caught behind.

Nazir shared successive half-century stands with Shoaib Malik and Inzamam to ensure Pakistan built a solid platform. Malik contributed 21 before he slapped a Sean Williams delivery to point.

Before the match, Inzamam admitted it was going to be difficult for his squad to focus.

"This is a tough time for us because the coach is not here," Inzamam said. "The incident has disturbed the whole team also but we'll play our level best." — AP

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