The Best of Tests: Zimbabwe beat Pakistan by an innings and 64 runs to register maiden Test victory

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Match Summary

 ZIM 544/4dec (165)

 PAK 322/10, 158/10 (62)

 Result - Zimbabwe won by an innings and 64 runs

 Player of the Match - Grant Flower

Zimbabwe had been granted the Test status in 1992 and they were on the lookout for their first Test win. The team had drawn six of its games while losing the other four when Pakistan toured Zimbabwe in 1995.

Pakistan arrived with a pretty strong team led by Saleem Malik. It was no second-rung side with players like Aamer Sohail, Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Wasim Akram and Aaqib Javed.

Malik's boys were jolted as Zimbabwe opener Grant Flower piled up an unbeaten double century. The knock came off 523 deliveries at a strike rate of less than 40 but took Zimbabwe to a place of strength.

Andy Flower and Guy Whittall then stepped up the pace, both scoring at strike rates of around 60. Andy Flower, in particular, was punishing with 18 boundaries. Centuries from Flower and Whittall meant that Zimbabwe declared their innings at 544-4 after 165 overs.

The good-looking Pakistan batting line-up could not cope with the pressure and a 6 wicket-haul from Heath Streak saw the team being bowled out for 322. Following on, Pakistan capsized for just 158 in their second innings.

The bowling leaders for Zimbabwe were David Brian, Heath Streak and Guy Whittall and picked up three wickets each. Zimbabwe were ecstatic as they registered their first-ever Test victory and that too against a strong Pakistan side by a margin no less than an innings and 64 runs. 

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