Sensational display of bowling brilliance, Sufiyan Muqeem, playing just his sixth T20I, delivered a career-best performance of 5 wickets for only 3 runs. His heroics were instrumental in bundling Zimbabwe out for their lowest-ever T20I total of 57, paving the way for Pakistan’s emphatic 10-wicket victory in the second T20I at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The triumph not only clinched the series for Pakistan but also highlighted Muqeem as a rising star in international cricket.
After opting to bat, Zimbabwe's openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani began with promise, putting together a brisk 37-run stand. Bennett showcased early aggression, smashing a boundary off Abrar Ahmad and a six over midwicket off Jahandad Khan. Marumani contributed with a well-timed drive for four. However, their partnership ended in the fifth over when Marumani fell to Abbas Afridi, marking the beginning of Zimbabwe's collapse.
Afridi’s wicket-maiden over was followed by Haris Rauf dismissing Bennett, leaving Zimbabwe reeling. By the end of the eighth over, they had crumbled to 45 for 4. The carnage intensified when Sufiyan Muqeem was introduced into the attack. The left-arm spinner struck twice in his first over, trapping Ryan Burl lbw and clean bowling Tashinga Mushekiwa. Muqeem continued his dominance, claiming two more scalps in the next over to end with remarkable figures of 5/3. Zimbabwe’s innings folded in just 12.4 overs.
Chasing a paltry target, Pakistan’s openers Saim Ayub and Omair Yousuf ensured there were no hiccups. Ayub started the onslaught with a boundary off Richard Ngrava, while Yousuf attacked Sikandar Raza with consecutive boundaries. The pair combined to decimate Zimbabwe's bowlers, with Yousuf smashing a six over deep point and Ayub slashing boundaries at will. The target was comfortably achieved in 5.3 overs, with Ayub remaining unbeaten on 36 and Yousuf on 22.
This commanding win underscored Pakistan's all-round dominance and highlighted Muqeem's meteoric rise as a match-winner. The series win is a boost to Pakistan's confidence as they continue to build a formidable T20 side.
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