Zimbabwe fall short to delight of Pakistan

Pakistan's players celebrate a wicket during their win over Zimbabwe.

Batting first they made 235 – recovering from 4-2 – and were then able to restrict Zimbabwe to 215 all out in their chase, meaning they picked up a first victory after defeats to India and West Indies.

Captain Misbah-ul-Haq’s 73 underpinned the Pakistan batting, while Mohammad Irfan (4-30) and Wahab Riaz (4-35) shone with the ball.

They shackled Zimbabwe, with Brendan Taylor’s top score of 50 not enough to get the job done.

n England women claimed a five-wicket win in their one-day international series decider against New Zealand in Lincoln.

Player of the series Sarah Taylor hit 93, from 99 balls, before Natalie Sciver’s unbeaten 65 steered England home with five overs to spare.

New Zealand had posted 230-8 on the back of Katie Perkins’ 70 not out.

Becky Grundy claimed 3-36 while Laura Marsh and Kate Cross chipped in with two wickets apiece.

“We knew coming to Christchurch we had a big job to do and perform how we want to perform,” said Taylor.

“I think that is exactly how we played today, our brand of cricket.

“I was happy to put in a performance that helped the team.”

n Sussex all-rounder Rory Hamilton-Brown has been forced into an early retirement due to a wrist injury.

The 27-year-old suffered the injury early last summer but subsequent surgery, and rehabilitation, failed to fix the problem.

“It is with regret that I am having to retire from cricket. I would like to thank my family for their care and support over my career,” he said.

Hamilton-Brown began his professional career at Sussex before moving to Surrey in 2010, where he was named their youngest captain for 138 years at the age of 22.