A blazing century by opener Saim Ayub helped Pakistan secure a comfortable 10-wicket victory against Zimbabwe in the second match of the three-match ODI series, leveling the series 1-1. The match took place on Tuesday.
This is the fifth time in Pakistan’s ODI history and the second time against Zimbabwe that they have won a match by a 10-wicket margin. The previous instance against Zimbabwe occurred in September 2011 in Harare.
In the first match of the series in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe defeated Pakistan by 80 runs under the DLS method. With hopes of a second consecutive win, Zimbabwe elected to bat first after winning the toss in the same venue. However, they crumbled for 145 runs in 32.3 overs against the spin attack of Pakistan, featuring Abrar Ahmed, Salman Agha, Saim Ayub, and Faisal Akram. All 10 wickets were taken by Pakistan’s spinners. Notably, Zimbabwe had scored 205 runs in the first ODI.
For Zimbabwe, Dion Myers scored 33, Sean Williams 31, and captain Craig Ervine 18 runs. Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed claimed four wickets, Salman Agha three, while Saim Ayub and Faisal Akram took one each.
In response, Pakistan chased down the target in just 18.2 overs without losing a wicket. Saim Ayub was in sensational form, scoring his maiden ODI century in just his fifth match. He smashed an unbeaten 113 runs off 62 balls, featuring 17 fours and three sixes. Fellow opener Abdullah Shafique supported him with an unbeaten 32 runs off 33 balls, including four boundaries.
The series decider will be played at the same venue on November 28.
Scores:
Zimbabwe: 145 all out in 32.3 overs (Myers 33, Williams 31; Abrar 4/36, Salman 3/29).
Pakistan: 148/0 in 18.2 overs (Saim Ayub 113, Abdullah Shafique 32).
Result: Pakistan won by 10 wickets.
Series: Three-match series tied 1-1.
