Pakistan defeat Zimbabwe by six wickets to win ODI series 2-0
RAWALPINDI (92 News) - Veteran all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed and captain Babar Azam produced stellar performances as Pakistan secured a ODI series win against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
Pakistan recorded their second consecutive victory over Zimbabwe, defeating them by six wickets in the second ODI at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a moderate target of 207, Pakistan wrapped up the game in style in 35.1 overs with skipper Babar Azam hitting a towering six over long-off. Azam scored an unbeaten 77 from 74 balls with seven fours and two sixes.
Opener Imamul Haq made 49 and along with his partner Abid Ali (22) provided a solid start of 68 runs.
Later, 20-year-old debutant Haider Ali played a confident breezy innings of 24-ball 29, laced with two sixes and a boundary.
Mohammad Rizwan could score only one run while Iftikhar Ahmed, giving good support to Babar, made 16 and remained not out.
Earlier, Zimbabwe were restricted to 206 due to Pakistani allrounder Iftikhar Ahmed's excellent bowling performance. Zimbabwe chose to bat first after captain Chamu Chibhabha won the toss but they were bowled out for 206 in 45.1 overs.
Iftikhar displayed his career-best bowling performance with five for 40 in the 10-over quota in his sixth ODI match. He is a regular middle-order batsman who also plays as an off-break bowler. Fast bowler Mohammad Musa, another 20-year-old debutant, claimed two wickets for 21 runs.
For Zimbabwe, Sean Williams top scored with 75 and his 70-ball innings was laced with ten fours and a six. Branden Taylor, the centurion of the first ODI, could make 36 and opener Brian Chari made 25 as no other batsman could get any significant runs.
The final match in the three-game series at the same venue on Tuesday.
Pakistan
Babar Azam (capt), Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Haider Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Musa Khan
Zimbabwe
Chamu Chibhabha (capt), Brian Chari, Carl Mumba, Tendai Chisoro, Craig Ervine, Wessley Madhevere, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams
