Zimbabwe vs Pakistan, 5th ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Series: Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe, 2018 Venue: Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo Date & Time: Jul 22, 09:15 AM LOCAL

Pakistan completed the 5-0 whitewash following the 131-run win. © AFP

5-0

The players shake their hands and Pakistan have completed another comfortable victory. The margin is huge but it isn't as huge as it was the case in the previous games and that's exactly what Zimbabwe wanted. It's been a terrific tour for the Asian giants. They first beat Australia in the tri-series final to clinch the T20 series and now managed to clinch the ODI series.

Murray departs

He has attempted a slog and has missed the ball completely as the ball shatters the stumps. Zimbabwe lose number four and this could be the beginning of the end. Let's see if the lower order manages to put up any sort of resistance.

Hasan Ali strikes

That's his second wicket. Masvaure gets the toe end of the bat while looking to loft and Asif Ali completes a diving catch after initially misjudging it. Well done! Zimbabwe lose three!

Halfway mark

Zimbabwe are in no mood to chase but they are determined to bat out the overs. 25 overs they have made 108/2, let's see how long they can carry on with this approach.

Another one

Hasan Ali cleans up Masakadza! Wow, that ball came in a touch with the angle at a rapid pace and took out two stumps! What a sight! And this time, he wants Shadab Khan to celebrate in place of him after injuring himself earlier in the series during his trademark celebration.

First strike!

Nawaz gets the wicket. Kamunhukamwe pulls one straight to midwicket. The fielder took a nice low catch and Zimbabwe lose their first wicket. 66/1

50-run stand

This is good to see! They are not going to win this game after taking 70 balls to score 50 but at least they didn't succumb like they did in the previous games. Masakadza and Kamunhukamwe are intent to put a price on their wicket and the result is this half-century stand.

Zimbabwe steady

Not what they need but they will gladly take it. Zimbabwe reach 20 for no loss after six overs and this is their best opening partnership in the series. I think that says something!

He turned it around

11 1

Record for Zaman

Pakistan have watchfully moved to 30 for no loss in six overs and in the process, Fakhar Zaman has created history. He gets to 1000 runs in ODIs and he is the fastest to get there. Viv Richards, Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, Babar Azam and Quinton de Kock have all done it in 21 innings but this superstar has reached the landmark in just 18. Will this record ever be broken?

Toss - Pakistan opt to bat

For the sake of this sport, let's hope we do not witness another mauling. Pakistan have opted to bat first and if these openers get going once again, I expect Zimbabwe to throw in the white towel. Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali are back for Pakistan. They replace Faheem Ashraf, Yasir Shah and Usman Khan. Zimbabwe though have made four changes.

Teams:

Zimbabwe (Playing XI):Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Hamilton Masakadza(c), Prince Masvaure, Peter Moor, Elton Chigumbura, Ryan Murray(w), Donald Tiripano, Liam Nicholas Roche, Wellington Masakadza, Chris Mpofu, Tendai Chatara

Pakistan (Playing XI): Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed(w/c), Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan

Build up

We have seen some drubbings in recent times but this one definitely takes the cake. Pakistan have won the four ODIs thus far by margins of 201 runs, 9 wickets, 9 wickets and 244 runs. The hosts are depleted without some of their top players but to put up such a sorry show in front of their own supporters must hurt. To top it, Pakistan also went onto create a few records in the previous ODI with Fakhar Zaman becoming the first batsman from his country to touch the magical 200-run mark.

The openers posted a record 304 for the first wicket as Pakistan went onto score 399 in 50 overs. The big question is, will something change today? Will Pakistan look to experiment? Can Zimbabwe get something from the big game or are they mentally battered already? The next few hours will tell you the story. Welcome to the live blog for the final ODI. Tweet in your opinion to @Narbavi and have it featured on the blog.