LAHORE: Pakistan on Sunday won second T20 match and the series by 2-0 against Zimbabwe at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium when the team successfully chased the 176 runs target in the final over.
Pakistani opener Mukhtar Ahmad remained the most prominent batsman who scored 62 runs whereas Umar Akmal also contributed 30 runs. However four of the middle order batsmen were dismissed at single digit score. The tail-enders managed to finish the game when Pakistan lost 8 wickets till the final over.
Zimbabwe’s Mpofu and Williams each bagged two wicket while Utseya, Vitori and Raza each dismissed one batman.
Earlier Zimbabwe, after winning the crucial toss, piled up 175 runs on the board.
Sean Williams remained not-out scoring 58 runs off 32 balls, followed by Sibanda’s 49 which helped their team for a good total of 175. They lost only three wickets.
Afridi, Shoaib Malik and Muhammad Sami bagged one wicket each.
Pakistan rested Wahab Riaz, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Muhammad Hafeez. WHile Muhammad Rizwan, Nauman and Emad have been picked.
Friday’s Twenty20 game between Pakistan and Zimbabwe was the first international match in Pakistan since terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009.
Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by five wickets before a 27,000-strong crowd, who battled 42 degree heat and stifling security arrangements.
Pakistan achieved their best Twenty20 chase by overhauling a target of 173. Opener Mukhtar Ahmed hit a rapid 83 to steer the home team to a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
