Inzamam ul Haq, playing his last one-day international, gave fans a final glimpse of what he was capable of during his career. His two sixes a reminder that he perhaps was a little hasty in deciding his career. But when he finally fell, the tears flowed and it was testament to what the game meant to the big man. He would no doubt have liked to have ended it by putting up a fight for the cup, but things had gone horribly wrong earlier.
Imran Nazir at the other end showed why he has been so highly rated. After a few airy wafts here and there, he settled down and took a severe toll of the Zimbabwean bowling smashing 14 boundaries and eight sixes.
For Zimbabwe, Elton Chigumbura shone briefly with four sixes including three consecutive ones off Danish Kaneria, but it was a small flicker that was put out soon by Shahid Afridi. Mohammed Yousuf, bowling the last over of the match picked up the wicket of Mpofu caught by Inzamam as Pakistan ended their campaign.
The Pakistan team goes back and over the next few weeks will be witness to many changes. A new coach, a new captain and the continuing revelations and repercussions of coach Bob Woolmer’s death. For a short while at least, however, they had a win to think about. And rightfully, they dedicated it to the memory of their late coach.
On bidding adieu to ODI cricket
"Definitely it's an emotional time for me because I love this game and when you love something it's not easy to leave it," "I was emotional anyway but with Bob not being here made me extra emotional."
On his long cricketing journey for Pakistan coming to an end
"This is a very difficult decision that I've taken because I've played for the last 17 years and to play for Pakistan is a great honour. But I've enjoyed my cricket and it's been a great passion for me,"
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