Zimbabwe shocked Pakistan and defended 119-run target to win 2nd T2OI by 19 runs

In-form Pakistan batsmen fell like house of cards in the 119-run chase against Zimbabwe in the 2nd T20I on Friday and lost the match by 19 runs after losing 10 wickets for 99 in 19.5 overs.

The defeat of Pakistan team boasting of batting stars like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Hafeez will come across as a shock to many but Zimbabwe had shown character in the first encounter at Harare Sports Club as well.

The hosts had come very close to Pakistan's 149 and lost the match by 11 runs only.

This time around, the minnows pushed themselves further to level the 3-match series 1-1. On a surface very similar to that of Chepauk, Zimbabwe managed to score 118 for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted quota of 20 overs. Opener Tinashe Kamunhukamwe scored 34 while only two other batsmen could score more than



15.

Pakistan used 6 bowlers, with four of them taking a wicket each. Mohammad Hasnain and Danis Aziz took one more than their teammates.

The Babar Azam-led side were off to a slow and watchful start, losing their first wicket in the form of Rizwan in the 6th over. The team had put 21 runs on the board by then.

In-form Zaman joined Babar but departed after scoring 2. The latter looked in elements, blasting 5 fours en route his 45-ball 41. He partnered for 19 runs off 25 balls with veteran batsman Hafeez (5) but failed to steer past the ball from the fielder patrolling in the deep point region.

41 runs were needed off 25 balls when the talismanic batsman departed.

Situation deteriorated soon and Pakistan showed the unpredictability they are known for. After a successful tour of South Africa, the last 6 wickets of the Asian team fell for 21 runs.