Clippings: Pakistan clobber Zimbabwe by 93 runs

Kingston
Pakistan, on the back of 160 from Imran Nazir, clobbered Zimbabwe by 93 runs in a rain-reduced contest Wednesday at the Cricket World Cup at Sabina Park.
The result confirms that Ireland will join the West Indies as qualifiers for the Super 8s round of the tournament while both Pakistan and Zimbabwe head home.
The Pakistanis honored the memory of coach Bob Woolmer, who died the day after an upset loss to Ireland, as Nazir set up a mammoth total of 349 all out off 49.5 overs.
The right-hander lashed 14 fours and eight sixes off 121 balls.
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq contributed a classy 37 off 35 balls in his 378th and final one-day international.
After an emotional few days, left the field in tears and was given a guard of honor by his teammates and received handshakes from all the Zimbabweans.
``We dedicate this game to Bob because he's a wonderful person,'' Inzamam said. ``He's not in this world now and every Pakistani and every cricket lover is sad. I'm also very sad and what's why I'm emotional, also after playing 16 or 17 years.''
Younis Khan said the circumstances made the win over Zimbabwe more important.
``It was very difficult for us, like playing without our father, he was like that for us.'' Khan said. ``It has been a bad two days. Everybody is hurting and nobody knows what's happening next.''
Zimbabwe, the youngest squad on average in the tournament, had a chance to advance with a win over Pakistan. Instead, Prosper Utseya's squad finished last in Group D.
``We are going to have to go back and correct our mistakes and see if we can improve,'' he said. ``We need to play more games and get more exposure.''
Zimbabwe's pursuit was already struggling at 30 for three off 10.2 overs when light rain caused a delay of 2 1/2 hours.
Their victory target was reduced to 193 off 20 overs on resumption and Zimbabwe was eventually bowled out for 99 off 19.1 overs.
Elton Chigumbura hit four sixes, including three off consecutive deliveries from legspinner Danish Kaneria, on his way to a topscore of 27 off 11 balls.
Shahid Afridi collected his 200th one-day international wicket and earned figures of three for 20.
Earlier, Nazir's second one-day international century lifted Pakistan to its highest ever World Cup total. The total was also the highest ever at the venue.
The 25-year-old Nazir endured a scratchy start but blossomed to play some majestic strokes all around the ground.
He and Kamran Akmal added 31 for the first wicket before Chigumbura had Akmal caught behind.
Nazir shared successive half century stands with Shoaib Malik and Inzamam to ensure Pakistan built a solid platform.
Malik contributed 21 before he slapped a Sean Williams delivery to point.
Inzamam, given a rousing entrance from the few hundred spectators, was keen to go out on a high. The right-hander did not disappoint, with three sweetly-timed sixes and two fours before he skied a catch to extra cover.
Inzamam's class shone through and Nazir at the other end could not match his fluency.
When Mohammad Yousuf fell to Gary Brent at 170 for four in the 31st over, Zimbabwe sensed a revival.
But Nazir and Younis Khan quickly doused hopes with a brilliant fifth wicket partnership of 82 off 57 balls.
Nazir, dropped badly at deep square leg by Friday Kasteni off Brent when 81, collected his century off 95 balls with 11 fours and two sixes.
The slim right-hander upped the tempo after that and his last 60 runs spanned just 22 deliveries.
He had a double century in his sight when he fell to a tumbling catch at extra cover with six overs remaining.
Rao Iftikhar rallied the tail with a career-best 32 off 16 balls.
Jamaica police said Woolmer's death was ``suspicious'' and were continuing investigations in the hotel room where he was found unconscious Sunday, the morning after Pakistan's loss to Ireland.