Yasir Shah wrecked Zimbabwe's batting lineup with six for 26 as Pakistan cruised to a 131-run win in the opening One-dayer at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
Zimbabwe were bowled out for 128 in 37 overs after Pakistan had piled up 259 for six.
A century partnership from Mohammad Rizwan and Imad Wasim set the touring side up for victory but it was the leg breaks of 29-year-old spinner Yasir that proved decisive.
Imad and Rizwan shared a stand of 124 for the sixth wicket to help Pakistan recover after they had slumped to 35 for three.
Rizwan scored a career-best 75 not out and Imad, run out for 61, struck a maiden international half-century.
Zimbabwe then lost wickets at regular intervals in their reply.
Sean Williams top-scored with 26 as Yasir returned his best ODI figures and off-spinner Shoaib Malik claimed three for 30.
The second game in the three-match series, all being played at the Harare Sports Club, is on Saturday.
Scoreboard:
Pakistan
Az. Ali run out (Nyumbu) 11
A. Shehzad c Chigumbura b Panyangara 12
M. Hafeez c H. Masakadza b Jongwe 10
S. Ahmed c Williams b Cremer 44
S. Malik b Nyumbu 31
M. Rizwan n.o. 75
I. Wasim run out (Mutumbami) 61
A. Yamin n.o. 1,
Extras: (b-2 lb-5 nb-1 w-6)14
Total: (for 6 wickets, 50 overs) 259
Fall of wickets: 1-16 Az. Ali,2-24 A. Shehzad,3-35 M. Hafeez,4-100 S. Malik,5-128 S. Ahmed,6-252 I. Wasim
Bowling
T. Panyangara 9 - 1 - 66 - 1(w-4)
L. Jongwe 9 - 1 - 42 - 1(w-2)
C. Chibhabha 8 - 1 - 25 - 0
G. Cremer 6 - 0 - 45 - 1(nb-1)
S. Williams 9 - 0 - 35 - 0
J. Nyumbu 9 - 0 - 39 - 1
Zimbabwe
B. Chari b Shah 16
C. Chibhabha lbw b Wasim 12
H. Masakadza b Shah 15
S. Williams b Malik 26
S. Raza c Malik b Shah 19
E. Chigumbura c Rizwan b Shah 22
R. Mutumbami c Hafeez b Shah 3
L. Jongwe lbw b Malik 0
G. Cremer lbw b Malik 2
T. Panyangara c Wasim b Shah 4
J. Nyumbu n.o. 2
Extras: (lb-1 nb-1 w-5) 7
Total: (all out, 37 overs) 128
Fall of wickets: 1-23 C. Chibhabha,2-38 B. Chari,3-54 H. Masakadza,4-89 S. Williams,5-101 S. Raza,6-107 R. Mutumbami,7-108 L. Jongwe,8-122 E. Chigumbura,9-122 G. Cremer,10-128 T. Panyangara
Bowling
M. Irfan 4 - 2 - 7 - 0
A. Yamin 6 - 1 - 22 - 0(w-2)
I. Wasim 7 - 0 - 24 - 1(w-1)
Y. Shah 9 - 0 - 26 - 6
W. Riaz 4 - 0 - 18 - 0(nb-1)
S. Malik 7 - 0 - 30 - 3(w-2)
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