Zimbabwe batsman Roy Kaia takes revenge on Pakistan's Abid Ali in 2nd Test

Continuing their clinical show in the second Test, Pakistan clinched the two-Test series 2-0 against Zimbabwe, finishing their South Africa tour with no series lost. Pakistan earlier squared off with South Africa in a three-ODI series that they won 2-1, which was followed by a 3-1 victory in the T20Is.

As they moved Zimbabwe for three T20Is followed by two Tests, the hosts managed to open their account against Pakistan in the shortest format in their 16th attempt, winning the second T20 encounter by restricting Pakistan to a paltry 99 in response to their 118/9. However, the gulf between the two sides was neatly illustrated in the longer format, where Pakistan went about to dominate Zimbabwe convincingly, recording successive innings victory to affect a clean sweep.

In the final game of the tour, batting first, Pakistan piled on a mammoth total of 510/8 declared, guided by an unbeaten 215 from Abid Ali, who was well- assisted by Azhar and Nauman Ali, who got 126 and 97 respectively. The Abid-Azhar duo multiplied the misery of the Zimbabwean bowlers en route to their momentous 236-run stand that lasted 450 balls and kept the opponent bowlers’ search for a wicket almost an entire day.

In an excruciatingly painful event on the first day when the duo was batting and adding to Pakistan’s tally patiently, Abid Ali smacked a ball straight into Roy Kaia fielding at short leg. Bowler Tendai Chisoro delivered slightly fuller outside the off-stump as Abid rocked onto his back foot to put the ball away, only for Kaia to come in the path of the ball that hit right on his knee. The hit was hard enough for him to be unable to even stand on his feet and he was taken off the field by the medics on a stretcher.

Roy Kaia’s revenge

The effect of the hit was evident on Kaia, who was limping and came out bat late on the second day after Zimbabwe was heavily dented by Hasan Ali. However, the tables turned and Kaia ensured to return the favor to Abid, who was stationed at short leg now. Sajid Khan delivered a similar delivery outside off, with Kaia taking no time to sweep him powerfully and find Ali on the way.

Trying to evade the ball, Abid was hit on the elbow that he held in pain while falling on the ground. After some treatment and sprays, he was taken off the field by the physios. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe was dismissed for 132 and could manage 231 following-on as Pakistan won comfortably by an innings and 147 runs. Abid Ali was adjudged the Player of the Match for his double-century, while Hasan Ali was awarded the Player of the Series award for his 14 wickets in the series, which included two fifers.