Asif helps Pakistan crush Zimbabwe

HARARE — Bilal Asif took five wickets and made a handy contribution with the bat as Pakistan cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe to complete a 2-1 series win Monday. The 30-year-old off-spinner, in just his second ODI, captured five wickets for 25 runs to help skittle out Zimbabwe for 161 and then contributed 38 runs as an opener. The visitors passed the target for only the loss of three wickets with 96 balls to spare, with Asad Shafiq (38) and Shoaib Malik (34) unbeaten at the Harare Sports Club. After Zimbabwe’s opening pair amassed 89 runs, the host lost 10 wickets for just 72 runs. Chamu Chibhabha and Richmond Mutumbami set a solid foundation before Chibhabha spooned an easy catch back to the bowler. It sparked a quick slide, even though Asif took some time to get into his stride, taking his first wicket in his fifth over but then proceeding to send the home batsmen back to the pavilion at regular intervals. Mutumbami was the seventh wicket to fall for a career best 67 but by then Zimbabwe was already in dire straits as the spinners reeked havoc. Left-armer Imad Wasim also grabbed three wickets. Pakistan completed its run chase in 34 overs. Afridi slams Australia Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi criticized Australia’s decision to call off its Bangladesh tour citing terrorism fears, saying Monday that while security was paramount tours should “not be canceled over minor issues.” Australia scrapped its two-Test tour of Bangladesh last week after official warnings militants may attack Western interests. The head of the Bangladesh Cricket Board Nazmul Hassan said measures to tighten security should have satisfied any safety concerns, telling reporters in Dhaka that while many countries face such terror threats, “it never stops cricket.” Afridi echoed that statement on the sidelines of a visit in Karachi to meet Pakistan and Bangladesh’s women’s teams. “Security is paramount but tours should not get canceled over minor issues,” he told reporters. “Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka should show some unity and counter these security fears as we have suffered a lot with international teams not coming to Pakistan,” said Afridi. International cricket was suspended in Pakistan after a deadly 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore. Afridi said Bangladesh’s decision to send its women’s team was a good sign. Former Bangladesh opener Athar Ali Khan said Afridi’s visit had been “great encouragement” for the women’s teams. SA postpones tour South Africa’s women’s cricket team has postponed a planned tour to Bangladesh later this month citing security concerns, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said Monday. The South Africa women’s team was scheduled to arrive on Oct. 15 to play five ODIs and three Twenty20 internationals.