Pakistan registered another thrilling 15-run win over Zimbabwe in the second and final T20I match at the Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.
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Shahid Afridi’s side had again struggled after winning the toss, losing wickets at regular intervals before man-of-the-match Umar Akmal added late impetus with an unbeaten 38 off 28 balls that included two fours and a six.
The Green Shirts are leading the series by 1-0, beating Zimbabwe by 13 runs in first T20 at the same venue.
While Sohaib Maqsood anchored the innings with a run-a-ball 26, only Akmal and Wasim were able to take the attack to the hosts.
Seamers Tinashe Panyangara and Luke Jongwe hampered Pakistan with figures of 2-27 and 2-24 respectively.
Zimbabwe made a disastrous start to their reply but were steadied by a 60-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Sean Williams (40 not out) and Pakistan-born Sikandar Raza (36).
Earlier, Imad Wasim’s four-wicket haul helped Pakistan claim a 13-run win over Zimbabwe in the first T20.
Pakistan’s skipper looks to seal the T20 series against Zimbabwe. The two matches we play against them will be an excellent opportunity for my players and team officials and we plan to use them as a launch pad for the T20 World Cup.
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Once Raza had been bowled for 36 by Imran Khan and Elton Chigumbura’s brief but entertaining stay at the crease had come to an end, Zimbabwe’s hopes vanished.
