The first ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe was played on 30th October at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. From Zimbabwe, Chamu Chibhabha led the team while Pakistan was captained by Babar Azam. The match was started at 12:00 PM local time. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first.
From Pakistan, the inning was started by Imam-ul-Haq and Abid Ali. They started the inning well and gave a good start to the team. Zimbabwe got its first breakthrough in the 11th over when Abid Ali got out. Babar Azam joined Imam, and they carried the inning forward but in the 18th over Babar also got out. Imam completed his half-century before getting out in the 26th over. Haris Sohail also played a brilliant inning of 71 runs. Imad Wasim contributed 34 runs to the team score. At the end of 50 overs team, Pakistan made 281 runs at a loss of 8 wickets which was a defending score. From Zimbabwe Muzarabani and Tendai Chisoro each got 2 wickets.
To chase the score and make 282 to win the game, Brian Chari and Chamu Chibahbha opened the inning of Zimbabwe. It was not a good start for the team as Chari got out in the first over only. In the 5th over Chibhabha also got out at an individual score of 13 runs. Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor carried the inning ahead. Ervine got out at a personal score of 41 runs in the 22nd over. Sean Williams also got out early. Wesley Madhevere joined Taylor, and they played tactically. They made a good partnership of 119 runs. In 46th over Madhevere and in 47th over Taylor got out.
Further, no batsmen could play well, and the inning of Zimbabwe ended at 255 in 49.4 overs only as they got all out. Hence Pakistan won the first ODI by 26 runs. Brendan Taylor was declared as the man of the match for his brilliant inning of 112 runs.