Sufiyan Muqeem destroyed Zimbabwe's batting order in a brilliant exhibition of spin bowling, leading Pakistan to a decisive 10-wicket victory in the second Twenty20 International at Bulawayo. With five wickets at just three runs, Muqeem currently holds the record for most wickets taken by a Pakistani bowler in T20I history. With this victory, Pakistan also won the series, demonstrating their dominance away from home.
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| Sufiyan Muqeem |
Zimbabwe’s Batting Collapse
Zimbabwe started their innings with promise. Openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani looked comfortable, taking advantage of a favorable batting surface. The duo raced to 37 for 0 by the end of the fourth over, with Bennett showcasing brilliant shot-making, particularly on the offside.
However, their bright start quickly turned into a nightmare. Abbas Afridi broke the opening stand, dismissing Marumani with a sharp delivery. Afridi followed it up by bowling Zimbabwe's star player Sikandar Raza for a duck, leaving the hosts in trouble.
Once Muqeem was introduced into the attack, Zimbabwe’s lower-middle order crumbled. Using a combination of conventional wrist spin and wrong'uns, he ran through the lineup, dismissing key batters like Ryan Burl and Tashinga Musekiwa with precision. Zimbabwe's innings folded for a mere 57 runs, their lowest-ever T20I total.
Muqeem’s Historic Five-Wicket Haul
Muqeem’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary. His final figures of 5 wickets for 3 runs in just 2.4 overs made him the star of the match. His spell not only highlighted his skill as a wrist-spinner but also showcased his ability to thrive under pressure in international cricket.
Pakistan’s Effortless Chase
Chasing 58 runs was a mere formality for Pakistan. Openers Saim Ayub and Omair Yousuf made quick work of the target, reaching the total within 6 overs without losing a wicket.
Ayub displayed elegant stroke play, including a stunning whip off his pads for six, while Yousuf’s confidence shone through as he carved Zimbabwe’s bowlers to the boundary with ease. Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava were ineffective, unable to trouble the Pakistani batters, as both openers remained unbeaten—Ayub with 36 runs* and Yousuf with 22 runs*.
Pakistan’s Commanding Victory
This victory, achieved with 87 balls to spare, is now the biggest win by balls remaining between two Full Members in men’s T20I cricket. The ease with which Pakistan chased down the target underscored their dominance throughout the match.
With the series already won, Zimbabwe will try to recover and regain some pride, while Pakistan will want to keep up its momentum in the final Twenty20 International. Sufiyan Muqeem, whose record-breaking spell has left his name inscribed in history books, is currently the centre of attention.
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