Disciplined Pakistan restrict struggling Zimbabwe to sub-par 118-run total

A disciplined effort with the ball from the Men in Green helped their side in restricting a struggling Zimbabwe batting unit to just 118 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted overs in the second Twenty20 International (T20I) between the sides in Harare on Friday.

Pakistan currently lead the three-match T20I series one-nil after winning the first T20I at the same venue on Wednesday.

After winning the toss and choosing to field first, Pakistan applied a stranglehold on the Zimbabwe batsmen from the word go. The first 28 balls brought just 19 runs before skipper Brendan Taylor tried an ill-advised slog that ended in the hands of fielder Mohammad Hafeez off the bowling of all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.

Batsman Tadiwanashe Marumani struggled to 13 runs off 19 balls before falling to pacer Arshad Iqbal, caught behind by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.

Opener Tinashe Kamunhukamwe faced a lot of balls but could not settle in, ultimately falling to all-rounder Danish Aziz, caught by fielder Babar Azam, after scoring 34 runs off 40 balls.

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Batsman Ryan Burl fell next off the bowling of leg-spinner Usman Qadir, caught by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, after scoring just three runs off four balls.

All-rounder Wesley Madhevere was then bowled by all-rounder Danish Aziz as Zimbabwe struggled at a scoreline of 83 runs for the loss of five wickets in 14.4 overs.

Batsmen Tarisai Musakanda (13 off 10) and Regis Chakabva (18 off 14) showed promise but could not push on to make a significant dent in the match, falling to pacers Mohammad Hasnain (bowled) and Haris Rauf (LBW) respectively. 

Tailender Wellington Masakadza was run-out when a return shot touched the bowler's fingers and crashed into the stumps with the batsman short of his crease.

All-rounder Luke Jongwe was dismissed by fast-bowler Mohammad Hasnain, caught by fielder Fakhar Zaman, towards the end as Zimbabwe limped to a sub-par total of 118 runs in their allotted overs.

Mohammad Hasnain was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan after taking two wickets at the expense of 19 runs in his four overs.