Muqeem demolishes Zimbabwe for 57, sets up 10-wicket win for Pakistan in 2nd T20I

Pakistan hammered Zimbabwe by ten wickets in the 2nd T20I of the three-match series on Tuesday, December 3 at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. After opting to bat first, Zimbabwe were blown away by Sufiyan Muqeem who registered his maiden five wicket haul in T20Is. He registered the best bowling figures by a Pakistan bowler in the format as his spell of 3/5 in 2.4 overs demolished Zimbabwe for 57 in 12.4 overs.

In reply, Pakistan further piled on the misery on the opposition as they chased down the target in 61 in just 5.3 overs as Omar Yousuf (22* off 15) and Saim Ayub (36* off 18) went hammer and tongs on the Zimbabwe bowlers. As a result, Pakistan won the match by ten wickets and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Earlier in the day, Zimbabwe got off to a brisk start with openers Brian Bennett (21 off 14) Tadiwanashe Marumani (16 off 14) adding 37 runs for the first wicket off 27 balls. However, their partnership was brought to an end as Abbas Afridi made Marumani hit one straight to Tayyab Tahir at cover point. In the



very next over, Haris Rauf surprised Bennnet with a short delivery and as he was caught by Irfan Khan at deep square leg to leave Zimbabwe on 37/1 after 5.1 overs.

Sufiyan Muqeem surpassed Umar Gul's feat

Afridi further got the prized scalp of Sikandar Raza (3 off 4) as he shattered his stumps. The wickets continued to tumble for Zimbabwe as Salman Agha dismissed Dion Myers lbw to leave Zimbabwe on 44/4 in 7.4 overs.

Things further went downhill for the hosts as Sufiyan Muqeem came into the attack and picked two wickets in his first over. The left-arm spinner further scalped two more in his second over and completed his five wicket haul in 2.4 overs. As a result, Zimbabwe were bundled out for their lowest score in T20Is (57) as Sufiyaan Muqim surpassed Umar Gul’s figures of (5/6) to register the best bowling figures in T20Is for his country.

The 25-year-old was deservedly awarded Player of the Match. The third match of the series will be played on Thursday, December 5 at the same venue.