Zimbabwe vs Pakistan, 2nd ODI in Bulawayo saw a commanding performance by Pakistan, led by Saim Ayub's scintillating century. His unbeaten 113 off 62 balls ensured a dominant 10-wicket victory, leveling the series 1-1. Pakistan's bowling attack, spearheaded by Abrar Ahmed, earlier dismantled Zimbabwe for a modest 145.

Zimbabwe’s Struggles with the Bat

Electing to bat first, Zimbabwe faced early setbacks, losing openers Joylord Gumbie and Tadiwanashe Marumani within four overs. Dion Myers attempted to stabilize with a brisk start but fell leg-before to Agha Salman after scoring 33. The middle order, including Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, and Brian Bennett, failed to capitalize on starts.

Abrar Ahmed’s leg-spin proved lethal, claiming four wickets for 33 runs, while Agha Salman supported with 3 for 26. Zimbabwe were bundled out in just 32.3 overs, their innings lacking partnerships and momentum.

Saim Ayub’s Explosive Knock

Chasing 146, Pakistan approached the target aggressively. Saim Ayub set the tone with a boundary in the opening over and unleashed a series of powerful shots against Zimbabwe’s pacers and spinners. He brought up his half-century with a six in the 10th over and continued his onslaught, dispatching Brandon Mavuta for consecutive boundaries.

Abdullah Shafique played a supporting role, scoring an unbeaten 32, as Ayub reached his maiden ODI century in spectacular style. Pakistan chased the target in just 18.2 overs without losing a wicket.

Key Performances

  1. Saim Ayub: His career-best 113 not out featured elegant strokes, aggressive pulls, and sixes, showcasing his potential as a match-winner.
  2. Abrar Ahmed: His four-wicket haul dismantled Zimbabwe’s middle order, reinforcing his status as a key bowler.
  3. Agha Salman: Complementing Abrar, Salman’s three wickets highlighted his all-round utility.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s emphatic win underlines their dominance when firing on all cylinders. Saim Ayub’s performance, in particular, signals the arrival of a new batting star. Zimbabwe, while resilient in the first ODI, must regroup for the series decider. Fans eagerly await the final showdown in this engaging series.