A nightmare in the middle – 37 runs in 4.2 overs for Zimbabwe without losing a wicket in Bulawayo. The hosts were hinting at a good score. Then Sufian Mukim's whirlwind magic swing that dream! Pakistan's bowlers crushed Zimbabwe by 57 runs in Mukim's unique record. They lost 10 wickets in the last 20 runs.
It is also Zimbabwe's lowest score in a T20I. Pakistan's wrist spinner Mukim took 5 wickets with 3 runs. It is also now Pakistan's best bowling figure in the twenty-over edition. Earlier former pacer Umar Gul has the feat of taking 5 wickets with 6 runs twice.
Pakistan chased down the target of 58 runs given by Zimbabwe in 5.3 overs without losing any wicket. The visitors confirmed the series by winning 10 wickets with 87 balls in hand. They picked up their second consecutive victory in the three-match T20 series.
Pakistan's series win and Zimbabwe's draw was the second T20I at the Queen's Sports Club in Bulawayo. The host captain Sikandar Raja won the toss and decided to bat first in the crucial match. The two openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani stormed from the start.
Zimbabwe scored 37 runs in the opening pair in 4.2 overs. A big score was in sight. Abbas Afridi gave a great break-through to Pakistan by coming to the bowling attack in the fifth over. Bring back Marumani (16) with a great delivery. In the next over, Harris Rauf's first ball returned to Bennett. 21 runs off 14 balls with 3 fours and 1 six came from his bat.
Zimbabwe lost 10 wickets in the last 20 runs. Apart from the two openers none of the last 9 batters could reach double figures. Mukim took 5 wickets in 2.4 overs. Abbas took 2 wickets with 2 runs. Mukim was brilliant in the first T20I – taking 3 wickets.
Pakistan easily chased down the target of 58 runs. The two openers Sayem Ayyub and Umayer Yusuf made an unbroken partnership of 61 runs. Sayem scored 36 runs off 18 balls with 6 fours and a six. Umair scored 22 runs off 15 balls.
