Zimbabwe reined Pakistan in after 20 overs of aggressive batting to keep them below 250 on a flat and dry pitch in Bulawayo. Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq both scored half-centuries but failed to push on, leaving the task of accelerating to the Akmal brothers, who weren't able to make powerful contributions.

With only one frontline seamer, Chris Mpofu, in his attack, Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor skillfully rotated his three spinners and two medium-pacers. Elton Chigumbura and Hamilton Masakadza were responsible for containing the run-rate, Mpofu came back strongly after an early pasting and the spinners performed well on a track that suited them.

Mpofu bowled an impeccable line in his first over and was rewarded in his second, when Imran Farhat tried to cut a short, but not wide enough ball, and got an edge to Tatenda Taibu. The early setback did little to harm Pakistan as Younis took control. He appeared to have switched roles with Mohammad Hafeez after their performance in the Test match. Younis was the aggressor and Hafeez played watchfully. Mpofu was unable to keep his control and Younis drove him down the ground and then scored three boundaries on the leg side.

Price, however, tied Hafeez down by constantly angling the ball into the pads. Prosper Utseya, who came on first change, bore the full brunt of Hafeez's frustration, conceding a smashing six over long-off and a lofted drive for four. Utseya had the last laugh, though. Hafeez was unable to keep the sweep down and Vusi Sibanda at square leg took the catch.

Misbah arrived and began by reverse-sweeping Lamb for four off the third ball he faced. Lamb continued to be expensive and bowled long hops to Younis, who pulled gleefully.

With the run-rate threatening to spiral out of control, Taylor made a double change and brought on Chigumbura and Masakadza and spread the field. Chigumbura had a confident lbw appeal turned down against Younis, who didn't capitalise on his lifeline and was run out five balls later.

Shoaib Malik, like Farhat, also failed in his comeback, when he was caught by a diving Taibu down the leg side. It was an unexpected, but deserved reward for Chigumbura, who had bowled a tight 10-over spell and was largely responsible for keeping Umar Akmal in check.

The scoring rate hit a plateau of under five an over and, in the 37th, Misbah attempted to accelerate with a slog-sweep for six and a cut past point for four off Masakadza. Taylor was ahead of the game, though, and as he sensed Pakistan were ready to launch, he brought back Price and Utseya to calm things down. Misbah had to try something different and went for the reverse-sweep, but was trapped lbw by Price as he jumped across his crease.

Lamb was more effective in his second spell and helped Utseya keep the pressure on. When Mpofu returned in the 45th over, Umar had little choice but to take him on and pulled the first ball, a short and inviting one, straight to Utseya at midwicket.

Pakistan waited as long as they could to take the Powerplay, at the start of the 46th over, and were only able to get three boundaries during it.