PAK vs ZIM: Sufiyan Muqeem's fifer powers Pakistan to unassailable 2-0 lead in T20I series against Zimbabwe

Pakistan's left-arm wristspinner Sufiyan Muqeem delivered a spellbinding performance in Bulawayo, taking the best-ever figures by a Pakistan bowler in T20Is, as Zimbabwe were bowled out for just 57. Pakistan then chased down the target with ease, winning by ten wickets to seal the T20I series.

Zimbabwe's batting collapse was swift and dramatic, as they lost all ten wickets for only 20 runs after scoring 37 in 4 overs, setting a new record for their lowest total in T20I cricket. Pakistan reached the target with 14.3 overs to spare, marking the largest victory by balls remaining in T20I cricket between two Full Members.

Pakistan sealed the T20I series with a crushing ten-wicket win over Zimbabwe, who were bowled out for just 57 in a dramatic collapse. Zimbabwe’s strong start quickly turned into disaster as they lost their last ten wickets for only 20 runs. Pakistan chased down the target with ease, finishing the match in 14.3 overs.

Openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani attacked Pakistan's bowlers, finding boundaries with ease on a pitch that suited batting. By the end of the fourth over, Zimbabwe were 37 without loss. However, the tide turned quickly. Abbas Afridi dismissed Marumani, and Haris Rauf removed Bennett off the first ball of his next over. Zimbabwe’s collapse continued with Afridi sending Sikandar Raza back for a golden duck, followed by Salman Agha trapping Dion Myers.

Sufiyan Muqeem then took over, spinning through Zimbabwe's middle and lower order. He claimed five wickets for just 3 runs, finishing the innings when Clive Madande was caught at mid-on.

Pakistan made short work of the chase. Omair Yousuf set the tone with 11 runs off the first over, and Saim Ayub quickly joined in, hitting boundaries off Zimbabwe’s bowlers. Both Ayub and Yousuf punished Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Gwandu, with Ayub finishing the chase off with a four.

Pakistan reached the target comfortably, with Ayub scoring an unbeaten 36 and Yousuf 22. They sealed the win with 14.3 overs to spare. 

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