BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe: Pakistan secured a resounding 10-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the second T20I of the three-match series at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Tuesday, sealing the series 2-0.
Chasing a modest target of 58 runs, Pakistan’s openers, Saim Ayub and Omair Bin Yousuf, made light work of the total, racing to 61 runs in just 5.3 overs, completing the run chase in only 33 balls.
Ayub showcased his aggressive intent with a blistering 36 off 18 balls, featuring six boundaries and a six. His partner, Yousuf, remained unbeaten on 22 off 15 deliveries, adding two boundaries and a six to the tally.
Earlier, opting to bat first after winning the toss, Zimbabwe endured a nightmarish outing. Despite a promising start, with openers Tadiwanashe Marumani and Biran Bennett contributing a brisk 37-run partnership, the team collapsed spectacularly.
Abbas Afridi provided the breakthrough by dismissing Marumani for 16 in the fifth over, and Haris Rauf followed up by removing Bennett, who top-scored with 21 off 14 balls.
The dismissals triggered a batting collapse, as Zimbabwe plummeted from 37/2 to 57 all out in just 13 overs. The hosts lost their final 10 wickets for a mere 20 runs — the worst 10-wicket collapse in men’s T20Is among Full Member teams.
Left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem was the star of the show, claiming a remarkable five-wicket haul while conceding only three runs in 2.4 overs.
His figures are now the second-best for a Pakistan bowler in men’s T20Is, just behind Umar Gul’s legendary 5/6. Muqeem was declared Player of the Match.
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Abbas Afridi chipped in with two wickets, while Haris Rauf, Salman Ali Agha, and Abrar Ahmed took one wicket each for Pakistan.
The emphatic win follows Pakistan’s 57-run triumph in the series opener, where their bowlers and batters both excelled. With the series now decided, the third and final T20I is scheduled for December 5 at the same venue.
Pakistan Playing XI
Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (WK), Omair Bin Yousuf, Salman Agha (c), Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf.
Zimbabwe Playing XI
Brain Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Tawandanashe Marumani (WK), Tashinga Musekiwa, Richard Ngarava, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Wellington Masakadza.
