Lahore, Pakistan---Shoaib Malik hit his first century in six years to help Pakistan outbat Zimbabwe in the first day-night international by 41 runs in Lahore on Tuesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Malik, playing his first one-dayer after two years, notched up a 76-ball 112 with 12 fours and two sixes to steer Pakistan to 375-3 -- their highest against Zimbabwe -- before restricting the tourists to 334-5 in 50 overs at Gaddafi Stadium.
Zimbabwe tried their valiant best with skipper Elton Chigumbura hitting a rapid 95-ball 117 but the mounting asking rate proved too much in the end.
Chigumbura hit 10 boundaries and four sixes in his maiden one-day hundred as Zimbabwe also improved on their previous highest total against Pakistan, beating 295-9 in Bulawayo in 2002.
Chigumbura added 124 for the third wicket with Hamilton Masakadza (73) and another 74 for the fourth with Sean Williams (36).
Chigumbura was bowled in the 45th over by paceman Wahab Riaz who was the best Pakistan bowler with 3-47.
Chigumbura's previous best was 90 he made against South Africa at Bulawayo last year.
Pakistan captain Azhar Ali attributed the win to team effort.
"We got a good start and everyone chipped in with Malik build on that for our big total which won us the match," said Ali. "It was a good team effort."
Chigumbura praised his team's fight but blamed poor bowling for the loss.
"We did well in the chase but didn't go hard in the last seven overs," said Chigumbura. "It was satisfying to score a hundred but we must improve our bowling in the next matches."
- First century since 2009 -
Earlier, Malik scored his first century since his three-figure knock against India at Centurion in September 2009.
Malik built on a confident 170-run opening stand between Mohammad Hafeez (86) and Ali (79) as Pakistan improved on their previous best total against Zimbabwe of 349 at Jamaica in 2007.
Malik's hundred -- his first in 31 innings and since September 2009 -- came off 70 balls as Pakistan added 112 in the last 10 overs.
AFP
