Sufiyan Muqeem, the wrist spinner for Pakistan, was outstanding in leading his team to a commanding 10-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in Bulawayo during the series win in T20. The 25-year-old bowler took five wickets in succession, giving away just three runs as Zimbabwe folded for a mere 57 all out in 12.4 overs after a good beginning.
Pakistan didn’t waste any time in the chase as they reached 61 without loss in just 33 balls, with Saim Ayub making 36 and Omair Yousuf 22. This victory came after a 57-run win in the first match of the three-match series, showcasing the dominance of Pakistan throughout the T20 format.
Captain Salman Agha added: “Losing the toss did not concern us because we had plans and executed them really well. Sufiyan’s bowling was outstanding. We have a young side full of quality players, and their performance is very heartening for me.”
The Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza was also forthright in admitting to his team’s difficulties: “We are all hurting and in a pretty bad place at the moment. My biggest concern is whether we are learning our lessons from these defeats, as we seem to make the same mistakes match after match.”
Save for openers Brian Bennett (21) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (16), no other Zimbabwe batsman reached the double figures as the side lost its last ten wickets for just 20 runs, thanks to Muqeem’s deadly spell. Pakistan will play the final T20 match against Zimbabwe on Thursday before embarking on an eight-match long tour of South Africa featuring two Test matches.
