Masakadza: ‘This series has shown how big a gap there is’

Pakistan won the fifth and final ODI match by 131 runs in Bulawayo on Sunday 22 July, with Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam both recording centuries.

“We wanted to finish on a high note, and Fakhar (Zaman), Imam and Babar responded brilliantly,” he beamed. “We need a one-month rest, we'll go home and then back to training for the Asia Cup. A couple of big Test series too, after that.”

His counterpart, Hamilton Masakadza, however, conceded that Zimbabwe still have a lot of work to do before they can compete against the world’s finest.

The host’s batsmen all gave a good account of themselves – the six who batted scored 34, 34, 39, 47, 44 and 25 – but no-one could convert a solid start into a match-winning score.

“Starts all the way down, but no one really pushed on,” said the Zimbabwe captain. “We spoke about wanting someone to push on, but that didn't happen. We wanted to get to 250.

“I think a few of the guys are new to international cricket, and this series has shown how big a gap there is and how much work remains to be done before our next series.”

Player of the Series Fakhar Zaman, who broke a whole host of records during an incredible series that saw him smash 515 runs from five matches at an average of 257.50, naturally enjoyed the tour.

“In 2016 I was with Pakistan A, and I enjoyed that tour a lot,” said the fastest man to 1,000 ODI runs. “Same this time too. I was taking my time at the start, waiting to punish the bad deliveries, and that was the main thing for me.”