Rawalpindi, 8 November 2020:
Haider Ali hit the second half-century of his three-match old T20I career while captain Babar Azam scored another breath taking fifty as Pakistan won the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe by registering a comprehensive eight-wicket win in the second match played at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi on Sunday evening.
Set a 135- run chase, Pakistan lost opener Fakhar Zaman for five, at this stage Babar was joined by the young batting sensation Haider.
The two played some delightful shots in their 100-run second-wicket partnership that all but guaranteed a thumping Pakistan win. Captain Babar followed his match winning 82-run innings yesterday in the opening match of the series with a 51-run innings punctuated with eight fours and one six.
Babar was dismissed by Blessing Muzarabani in the 13th over with Pakistan a mere 25 runs away from their target.
Haider played some stunning shots as he did his growing reputation as a batting wonder kid no harm, the 20-year-old, right-hander hit six fours and three towering sixes in his unbeaten 66 off 43 balls that ensure a comfortable win for the home side.
Haider settled the game in Pakistan’s favour in the company of Khushdil Shah who remained 11 not out as the chase was completed in 15.1 overs. Muzarabani took two wickets for Zimbabwe.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and asked Zimbabwe to bat. The visitors were rocked back early in their innings as pacer Haris Rauf accounted for openers Brendan Taylor (3) and Chamu Chibhabha (15).
Sean Williams was bowled by Faheem Ashraf for 13, his dismissal left Zimbabwe reeling at 38 for three in 4.5 overs.
Leg-spinner Usman Qadir who was playing his second T20I, made the crucial breakthrough when he dismissed the in-form Wesley Madhevere for 24, the right-hander had scored a blazing 70 not out yesterday.
Before dismissing Madhevere, Usman had sent Sikander Raza packing for seven; he made the twin breakthroughs in the 10th over which left Zimbabwe 66 for five in 9.4 overs.
Usman then added the wicket of Elton Chigumbura (18) in his final over to finish with impressive figures of 4-0-23-3.
Haris added Donald Tiripano’s wicket to finish with three for 31 in four overs. Ryan Burl upped the tempo at the end of the innings in his unbeaten 32 off 22 balls (one four, one six) as Zimbabwe finished their 20 overs at 134 for seven.
Scores in brief:
Zimbabwe 134 for 7 in 20 overs (Ryan Burl 32 not out, Wesley Madhevere 24; Usman Qadir 3-23, Haris Rauf 3-31)
Pakistan 137 for 2 in 15.1 overs (Haider Ali 63 not out, Babar Azam 51; Blessing Muzarabani 2-33)
Result: Pakistan won by eight wickets
Man-of-the-match – Haider Ali
Next match:
10 Nov – 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpire), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Shozab Raza (fourth umpire); Javed Malik (match referee)
