Pakistan defeats Zimbabwe in second ODI, levels series
With the series now tied 1-1, both teams will look to take the lead in the final ODI.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan bounced back in the second ODI against Zimbabwe in Blantyre, securing a comfortable victory to level the series 1-1.
Zimbabwe set Pakistan a target of 146 runs after being bowled out for just 145 in 33 overs. Pakistan chased down the target without losing any wickets, thanks to a stellar century by opening batsman, Saim Ayub.
Ayub played a brilliant knock, scoring his maiden ODI century off just 53 balls, which included 16 boundaries and 3 sixes. His dominant performance led Pakistan to victory, with no wickets lost in the chase.
Earlier, Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bat first. They were quickly in trouble, losing their first wicket at just 6 runs on the board. Joael Lord Gumbie was dismissed for 5, bowled by Abrar Ahmed. Zimbabwe’s troubles continued as Tendai Marumani was out for 4, leaving the team at 23 for 2.
Zimbabwe’s third wicket fell at 61, when Dion Meyers, after scoring 33 runs, was dismissed LBW. Captain Craig Ervine followed soon after for 18 runs, leaving the team at 68 for 4. Sikandar Raza was dismissed for 17 runs, and the collapse continued as Zimbabwe reached 121 for 6. The final four wickets fell quickly, with Brian Bennett, Richard Ngarava, and Blessing Muzarabani all falling cheaply.
In the end, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 145, with Abrar Ahmed taking 4 wickets and Salmān Ali Agha claiming 3 wickets. Saim Ayub and Faizal Akram also contributed with one wicket each.
Speaking after winning the toss, Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan said, “If we had won the toss, we would have batted first. Due to the humidity, batting first would have been an advantage.”
Read More: T20I Rankings Update: Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan Drop, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi Rise
Rizwan also expressed confidence after the series defeat in the first match, stating, “Just like in the series against Australia, we lost the first match but came back strong to win the series.”
Pakistan’s team for the match included Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafiq, Kamran Ghulam, Taib Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Aamir Jamal, Harish Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, and Faizal Akram.
Zimbabwe, led by Craig Ervine, had Brian Bennett, Joalord Gumbie, Trevor Gwendo, Tendai Marumani, Brandon Mauta, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Dion Meyers, Sikandar Raza, and Sine Williams in their lineup.
With the series now tied 1-1, both teams will look to take the lead in the final ODI.
