
On this day in 1995, Zimbabwe tasted one of the biggest wins in their cricket history by registering their maiden Test win. It took them 11 Test matches to register a win. Zimbabwe overcame Pakistan in the first Test of the series by an innings and 64 runs. Andy Flower, Guy Whitall, Heath Streak, and Grant Flower starred for Zimbabwe in their historic win over Pakistan.
Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first in Harare. Despite being reduced for 9-2 and later to 42-3, the home side recovered very well, thanks to a brilliant 269-run stand between the Flower brothers for the fourth wicket. Grant joined the elite league of Test openers to register a double hundred. On the other hand, his brother Andy scored 156 for himself.
Even after the dismissal of the latter, Grant continued with a great hand from Guy Whithall who scored 113 himself. Grant’s marathon knock saw him score an unbeaten 201 in 523 balls which helped Zimbabwe to score 544/4 before declaring their innings. Zimbabwe had a lot on the board as their bowlers ran through the batting lineup of Pakistan.
Heath Streak starred with the ball by claiming 6 wickets in the first innings. Whitehall helped him at the other end by claiming 2 wickets. While Pakistan scored 322 runs in the first innings, it was not enough to avoid a follow-on. In the second innings, the batters of the visiting side fell like a pack of cards. Streak, Whithall, and David Brain claimed 3 wickets each.
Pakistan was bowled out for a total of 158 runs as the home side won by an innings and 64 runs. It was their first-ever Test win and Flower brothers bagged the POTM awards. Despite winning the first match, Zimbabwe lost the series 1-2, thanks to a brilliant comeback from Pakistan. The visiting side won the second and third Tests by 8 wickets and 99 runs in Bulawayo and Harare respectively.
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