Razzaq acknowledges the appaluse for his hundred

Astonishing batting by Abdul Razzaq and Shahid Afridi led Pakistan to a 144-run win over Zimbabwe in the first match of a triangular one-day series.

The hosts made 292-7 after hitting 145 off the last 10 overs in Multan, with Razzaq finishing unbeaten on 107 and Afridi making 58 off 26 balls.

Zimbabwe, who had reduced Pakistan to 6-3 early in the game, never looked likely to mount a serious challenge.

But Vusi Sibanda made 57 before they were all out for 148 in the 39th over.

Afridi also played a leading role with a ball, taking 3-18 and he finished off the game by bowling Doug Hondo for one.

Post-match reaction

Shoaib Malik took 3-37 as he and Afridi ran through the Zimbabwe tail after the early damage had been done by the seamers.

Pakistan went into the tournament, which also involves Sri Lanka, looking to atone for their disappointing Champions Trophy semi-final defeat by West Indies.

They gave debuts to Bazid Khan, the son of former Test batsman Majid, and seam bowler Iftikhar Anjum.

Skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq chose to bat after winning the toss but he had to stage a rescue mission after their top order was swept away.

Tinashe Panyangara had Yasir Hameed caught behind off the first ball of the game and Hondo sent Malik and Yousuf Youhana packing for a single each.

Bazid's first innings came to an end on 12 when he edged a ball from Panyanagara to the keeper, but Inzamam and Razzaq steadied the innings with a stand of 95.

Afridi's dismissal was as spectacular as his hitting

Inzamam was eventually lbw to Prosper Utseya for 73 and when Moin Khan followed for seven, stumped off Brendon Taylor, Pakistan were 146-6 with 10 overs and one ball remaining.

Afridi's arrival at the crease heralded the start of the mayhem as Pakistan all but doubled their score from the final 60 balls.

He hit four sixes and Razzaq went one better as Zimbabwe's young attack wilted under the pressure.

Afridi's 50 took just 21 balls but he was bowled by Hondo, who had figures of 3-54, leaving Naved-ul-Hasan to join in with 16 not out off eight deliveries.

Naved made an early impact with the ball as Zimbabwe began their reply, winning an lbw decision against Stuart Matsikenyeri, who failed to score off 13 balls faced.

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Shoaib Akhtar bowled Taylor for five, removing his off stump, but Dion Ebrahim (29) and Sibanda put on 56 for the third wicket before Razzaq found a way through Ebrahim's defence.

Anjum celebrated his first international wicket when Mark Vermeulen was caught by Bazid for 10, but Sibanda continued to bat positively, hitting a six and six fours.

He was eventually caught behind off Malik as Zimbabwe's last six wickets went down for 52 in the space of 12 overs.