World Cup, group D: Pakistan in comfortable victory over Zimbabwe

Pakistan have convincingly thrashed Zimbabwe and as a game it stank to high heaven, but as an occasion it ranked up there with the best of them.

A sombre minute's silence to mark the tragic death of Bob Woolmer preceded the start of the game, with the Pakistan players visibly upset to a man.  Zimbabwe won the toss and put Pakistan in to muller them all over the ground as they raced to 349 all out in the 50th over, featuring a stunning 160 from Imran Nazir off only 121 balls.  Inzamam-ul-Haq, in his last ever one day international, stroked a typically languid and classy 37 before mistiming a shot and being caught.  What followed was the touching sight of each player from either team shaking his hand with the Sultan of Multan crumpling into tears as he walked from the field.

Zimbabwe fell to 30-3 in their reply before a rain delay halted proceedings.  On their return to play they were set a new Duckworth-Lewis target of 198 from 20 overs, which became academic as they were skittled comprehensively for only 99; the final insult being Yousuf taking the final wicket.

So, farewell Inzamam, one of the greatest talents ever produced by the sub-continent; farewell Pakistan & Zimbabwe, who are are off home; and farewell Bob Woolmer whose already tragic death is now becoming increasingly shrouded in mystery and controversy.