The Pakistani cricket public is not only enjoying the spectacle of international cricket back on home soil for the first time in six years, but they are thrilled at the success of their heroes, following the poor tour to neighbours Bangladesh, when they were whitewashed in both T20Is and ODIs.
Although they did salvage a little pride with a 1-0 win in the Test series.
After claiming the T20 section of the Zimbabwe visit by 2-0, the hosts have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three match ODI series, following their most recent win in Lahore. The final match takes place at the Same venue on Sunday.
After the run of poor results in Bangladesh, the captaincy credentials of Azhar Ali were being questioned, although his own contribution with the bat could in no way come under scrutiny. However, even with added pressure of his side needing to win all three matches against the tourists to maintain their ICC World Ranking, Azhar seems to be thriving.
Having made 79 in the first match, Azhar made his second ODI century, both made while skipper, to lead his team to victory chasing 269 on Friday. Only the third occasion in the past four years, that Pakistan have managed to chase 250 or more for a win. It is also Pakistan’s first ODI series success in the last two years.
While the Zimbabwe side has a decent batting line up, the bowlers are being found wanting in batsman friendly conditions, and they will do well to avoid a whitewash in Sunday.
However, this series has been about much more than the results. Both sides have been under immense pressure to perform in unique circumstances, and have produced the goods in spades.
Whether the success of Zimbabwe’s visit will lead to other tours to the country in the near future remains to be seen, but the African nation have certainly played their part in encouraging others to follow.