Muqeem shines as Pakistan crush Zimbabwe by 10 wickets to win Twenty20 series

Pakistan wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem starred in a series-clinching 10-wicket Twenty20 international rout of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old took five consecutive wickets for the loss of only three runs as Zimbabwe crumbled to 57 all out in 12.4 overs after making a promising start.

Pakistan then sped to 61-0 off 33 balls through Saim Ayub (36) and Omair Yousuf (22) to follow up a 57-run victory last Sunday in the first of three matches.

Victory completed a white-ball double for the tourists, who won a one-day international series 2-1 last week.

Muqeem, playing in only his seventh T20, surpassed fast bowler Umar Gul’s Pakistan record of five wickets for six runs with an even more impressive 5-3 in 16 balls.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha said: “Losing the toss did not concern us because we had plans and executed them really well. The bowling of Sufiyan was outstanding.

“We have a young side full of quality players and the way they are performing is very heartening for me.”

Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza admitted his team were “all hurting and in a pretty bad place at the moment.

“My biggest concern is whether we are learning our lessons when we suffer defeats because we seem to be making the same mistakes match after match.”

Zimbabwe openers Brian Bennett (21) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (16) -- the only batters to reach double figures -- built a 37-run partnership in four overs. Then, both fell within five balls, and the home team lost their 10 wickets for just 20 runs as Muqeem wreaked havoc.

Marumani was caught by Tayyab Tahir at cover point and Bennett by Irfan Khan at deep square leg at the Queens Sports Club.

All-rounder Raza, often the batting saviour for Zimbabwe, made just three before his off stump was uprooted by Abbas Afridi.

Raza was among four bowlers who had no success trying to contain Ayub and Yousuf. The openers struck 10 boundaries, including a six each, between them. A four from Ayub past backward point sealed victory. Pakistan complete the T20 series against Zimbabwe on Thursday. They then travel to South Africa for an eight-match all-formats tour, including two Tests.

Zimbabwe’s previous lowest T20 total was 82 against Sri Lanka this year at Colombo.

Pakistan won the preceding ODI series 2-1, but rested all of their frontline players, including white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan for the T20 series.

Earlier, Pakistan’s spinners propelled their team to an emphatic 57-run win in the first Twenty20 match on Sunday.

in that match also, Muqeem claimed 3 wickets for 20 runs and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed picked up 3-28 as Zimbabwe was bowled out for 108 in 15.3 overs. The hosts lost their last eight wickets for 31 runs.

Pakistan, who won the toss and elected to bat, had posted 165-4 on the back of Tahir’s unbeaten 39 off 26 balls and Irfan’s 27 not out off 15 as both batters combined in a 65-run stand to lift the total in the death overs.

Zimbabwe couldn’t cash in on a counterattack from captain Raza (39 in 28) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (33 in 20) in the powerplay after Ahmed had clean bowled Brian Bennett and Dion Myers in his second over.

Agencies

Brief scores

Zimbabwe 57 in 12.4 overs (Brian Bennett 21, Tadiwanashe Marumani 16; Sufiyan Muqeem 5-3, Abbas Afridi 2-2) v Pakistan 61-0 in 5.3 overs (Saim Ayub 36 not out, Omair Yousuf 22 not out)

Result: Pakistan won by 10 wickets

Series: Pakistan have winning 2-0 lead with one match to play.