Pakistan toured Zimbabwe in February of 2021 for a three match 50 over series and a three match T20 International series. After just one match the remainder of the series was cancelled due to complications with Covid.
It was the fault of neither board. The airline transporting the Pakistan team had announced it would be ceasing flights in and out of Harare because of Covid. The team would be left without a way home had the tour continued.
Zimbabwe v Pakistan
Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
Format: List A (50 overs)
Toss: Zimbabwe
Result: Pakistan by 178 runs
Having just come away from a tough series against South Africa Pakistan proved too strong for the Zimbabwe team.
Sent in to bat after losing the toss, Pakistan’s Javeria Khan (81) and Aliya Riaz (74) both scored half centuries as the team put on a good total of 255/6. Best with the ball for Zimbabwe were left arm seamer Nomvelo Sibanda (2-28) and right-arm medium pace of Esther Mbofana (2-42).
Pakistan’s opening pair of Diana Baig (1-16) and Fatima Sana (2-16) had too much class for the Zimbabwe top order and then followed a relentless army of top shelf spin bowling from Nashra Sandhu (1-16), Nida Dar (2-9) and Sadia Iqbal (2-8). There was little resistance and the home team was dismissed for 77.
That ends the tour. An abrupt finish to what had promised to be a worthwhile series for both teams in a period where it had been difficult to organise such tours.
Scores:
Pakistan 255/6 (Javeria Khan 81, Aliya Riaz 74, Nomvelo Sibanda 2-28, Esther Mbofana 2-42) 50 overs
Zimbabwe 77 (Sadia Iqbal 2-8, Nida Dar 2-9, Fatima Sana 2-16) 34.1 overs
Player of the Match: not announced