Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has heaped praise on pacer Hasan Ali and middle-order batsman Fawad Alam, after the visitors registered a convincing innings victory over Zimbabwe during the first Test in Harare.

Pakistan won the match by an innings and 116 runs courtesy splendid bowling performance by Hasan, who bagged match figures of 9/89, and a century, 140, by left-hander Fawad.

“First of all, thanks to Allah, the way we started in the first session, the bowlers bowled well, the way we dismissed them in the first innings was good. Hasan was outstanding, the openers then batted well, we carried on the momentum, Fawad finishing how he did was outstanding,” said Babar after the match.

“We had planned to put 300-plus [lead] on the board, and then we had planned to bowl them out for 150-200, it was an outstanding finish by Hasan. Now we have a few days off, we will rest, have nets, have a look at the wicket and then decide the composition for the next game,” he added.

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Meanwhile, Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor blamed his side’s batting after the massive defeat.  

“Getting bowled out in two sessions on day one let us down, and to then field for 130 overs put us behind the eight ball. We need to work on our batting as a group,” said Taylor.

The second Test will start on Friday, May 7, at the same venue.