Zimbabwe’s shock win at Harare on Tuesday was the first time since 1998 that the minnows had got the better of their strong Asian counterparts in international cricket. Here’s a look back at that game played 15 years ago.
Date: November 22, 1998
Venue: Sheikhupura, Pakistan
Toss: Won by Zimbabwe, who chose to field
Teams:
Pakistan -- Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Aamer Sohail, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Hasan Raza, Moin Khan, Azhar Mahmood, Wasim Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq and Mohammad Akram Zimbabwe -- Neil Johnson, Grant Flower, Murray Goodwin, Craig Evans, Andy Flower, Alistair Campbell, Craig Wishart, Paul Strang, Heath Streak, Eddo Brandes and Andy Whittal
Batting first, Pakistan needed a good start from their openers Anwar and Afridi. But that wasn’t to be. Medium-pacer Johnson sent back Anwar in the second over of the innings, having him caught by Goodwin for 2. Pakistan found themselves in deeper trouble when their skipper Aamer Sohail was dismissed without scoring, caught by Strang off Brandes’ bowling. At the other end, Afridi got a start, but like he has so often done in the past, gave it away. He was bowled for 26 by Streak to leave Pakistan reeling at 3 for 36 in the 10th over
The experienced Inzamam-Ul-Haq was now joined by the rookie but talented Yousuf Youhana at the crease. The duo rotated the strike well, and hung around for a few overs to revive Pakistan’s hope of putting up a decent score on board. Like Afridi however they were also guilty of giving their wickets away after getting starts. Youhana was the first to go, bowled by Whittal for 24. Inzamam soon followed for 34, caught behind also off Whitall’s bowling. At his departure the score read a miserable 96 for 5 in the 28th over
Thankfully for Pakistan, the lower order put up some sort of resistance to push the hosts past 200. The young Hasan Raza was the most impressive of the batsmen, making a solid 46 off 70 balls. Although the experienced duo of Moin Khan and Azhar Mahmood failed, Wasim Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq in particular used the long handle to good effect, scoring 19 and 29 each as Pakistan were all out for 211. Zimbabwe’s bowling was brilliant all round. Streak picked up three, Johnson and Whittal two each
While chasing the target, Zimbabwe needed one batsman to come up with a big score, and the others to play around him. That’s exactly how Zimbabwe went about their planning. Johnson anchored the innings till the very end, and only fell when Zimbabwe were three short of the target. His sublime 103 came off 120 balls, and featured 13 hits to the fence. Johnson featured in a century stand with Grant Flower, who contributed 42. Goodwin chipped in with 30 while Andy Flower put the finishing touches with an unbeaten 15. Saqlain with 2 for 43 was the only Pakistan bowler to make some sort of an impact. Johnson was adjudged man of the match for his superb all-round effort.
-By A Cricket Analyst
