World Cup: Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 20 runs

Brisbane: Embattled Pakistan finally opened their account in the cricket World Cup as they laboured to a narrow 20-run win over a spirited Zimbabwe in a Pool B match here on Sunday.
Opting to bat, Pakistan managed 235 for seven in their allotted 50 overs, before bowling out the African nation for 215 in 49.4 overs at the Gabba, keeping their slim hopes of qualifying for the quarterfinals alive. Misbah-ul-Haq top-scored for Pakistan with a patient 121-ball 73 while seamer Wahab Riaz smashed a quickfire 54 off 46 balls to prop up Pakistan towards the end.
With the ball, Mohammad Irfan was the pick of Pakistan bowlers with figures of four for 30, and Riaz complemented the lanky bowler well as he returned figures of four for 45 to complete an all-round performance. Zimbabwe and Pakistan now occupy the fifth and sixth positions, respectively, in the standings.
Chasing what looked like a gettable total against a Pakistani attack that struggled to contain the opposition batsmen in the tournament so far, Zimbabwe were off to a disastrous start losing both their openers with just 22 runs on the board. Hamilton Masakadza (29) and Brendan Taylor (50) stabilised the innings with a 52-run partnership for the third wicket, before the former was snared by Irfan.