Credits: PCB/X
Pakistani spinner Sufiyan Muqeem scripted history and entered record books for Pakistan by displaying exemplary bowling prowess in the second T20I against Zimbabwe. The 25-year-old bowler achieved brilliant figures of 5/3 in 2.4 overs to completely dismantle the rivals’ batting order and helped the side register a smooth 10-wicket win and clinch the series 2-0. Muqeem, who was playing his seventh T20I for the Men in Green, broke a historic 15-year-old record from former speedster Umar Gul.
Not only this, but he also became the third Pakistani player to pick a fifer in a T20I game and has registered the best-ever figures by any player from his country in the format. The left-arm spinner gave only three runs and had an economy of 1.12, which is very rare in the 20-over format. The previous record belonged to Gul, who had taken 5/6 in his 3 overs in a T20 World Cup 2009 game against England at The Oval.
Pakistan defeat Zimbabwe by ten wickets; clinch series 2-0
The game at the Queens Sports Club on Tuesday, December 3, saw visitors bundling out the hosts for a poor 57 runs in just 12.4 overs. In return, the Men in Green chased down the target in just 5.3 overs to win the match with 10 wickets margin. Openers Saim Ayum and Omair Yousuf ended up scoring 36* and 22*, respectively. Earlier in the game, Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza won the toss and chose to bat first.
The openers Tadiwanashe Marumani and Biran Bennett built a partnership of 37 runs. Marumani came up with 16 runs off 14 balls before he was dismissed by Abbas Afridi in the fifth over. On the other hand, his partner, Bennett, top-scored with 21 runs off 14 balls before falling to Haris Rauf.
