Pakistan clinch T20I series with commanding 2-0 lead as Sufiyan Muqeem shines with a match-winning fifer against Zimbabwe

Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 10 wickets in the 2nd T20I to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.

Sports Tak

• Tue • 03 Dec 2024

Sufiyan Muqeem

Highlights:

Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 10 wickets.

Sufiyan Muqeem picked five wickets for Pakistan in 2nd T20I.

Pakistan's left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem delivered an extraordinary performance in Bulawayo, achieving record-breaking figures for a Pakistan bowler in T20Is. Zimbabwe, despite a promising start, crumbled spectacularly, managing only 57 runs before being bowled out. Pakistan’s reply was emphatic, securing a ten-wicket victory to clinch the T20I series with ease.

Zimbabwe began strongly with openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani taking advantage of a batting-friendly pitch, racing to 37 runs within the first four overs. However, their momentum quickly dissipated as Abbas Afridi dismissed Marumani and Haris Rauf removed Bennett at the start of his spell. From there, the collapse was rapid. Sikandar Raza fell for a golden duck to Afridi, and Salman Agha trapped Dion Myers soon after.

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Sufiyan Muqeem then took charge, tearing through Zimbabwe’s middle and lower order. His magical spell earned him five wickets for just 3 runs, concluding the innings when Clive Madande was caught at mid-on. Zimbabwe's final total of 57 set a new record for their lowest T20I score, losing their last ten wickets for just 20 runs.

In reply, Pakistan wasted no time chasing the modest target. Omair Yousuf struck 11 runs off the opening over, and Saim Ayub joined the onslaught soon after. The pair dominated Zimbabwe’s bowling, with Ayub unleashing boundaries off Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Gwandu. Ayub ended the match in style with a boundary, scoring an unbeaten 36, while Yousuf contributed 22 not out. Pakistan reached the target with 14.3 overs to spare, marking one of the most decisive victories between two Full Members in T20I history.

Teams:

Pakistan (Playing XI): Omair Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan(w), Salman Agha(c), Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza(c), Ryan Burl, Clive Madande, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu