Pakistan’s limited-overs captain Babar Azam and Zimbabwe’s wicketkeeper-batsman Brendan Taylor praised Shaheen Shah Afridi, after the young pacer led the Men in Green to victory in the first one-day international (ODI) against the Chevrons.

Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed five wickets and Wahab Riaz took four as Pakistan went past spirited Zimbabwe to win the first ODI by 26 runs in Rawalpindi on Friday.

Pakistan survived an excellent knock of 112 by Taylor as the visitors chased a daunting 282-run target.

Speaking after the match, Azam said: “At any difficult time when Shaheen is asked to bowl, he has never stepped back and always gives 110 per cent. It doesn't matter what format he is playing, he puts in an outstanding effort as we also saw in the National T20 Cup recently.”  

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Meanwhile, Taylor believed that he was lucky to get the player of the match award bearing in mind Afridi’s exploits on the field.

“Pakistan’s bowlers’ skill level at the death made it difficult for us. I feel very lucky to get this man of the match award as I feel Shaheen should have got it. You’re up against a very skillful attack at the death and they were too good at the end,” said Taylor.

The second match of the series will be played at the same venue on Sunday, November 1. Pakistan lead the three-match ODI series one-nil.