Pakistan wrapped up the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe with a commanding 2-0 lead after recording a comprehensive 67-run victory in the second game on Thursday. Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Pakistan found the going tough at the start, adding only 34 runs in the Powerplay and losing Gull Feroza along the way. The innings then threatened to slip away as two rapid strikes pushed Pakistan to 46/3, but the middle overs offered a lifeline.
Muneeba Ali and Eyman Fatima steadied the chase for a while, stitching together a 46-run stand that helped Pakistan regroup and move away from the danger zone. From there, Fatima and Natalia Pervaiz took charge with a decisive 78-run partnership, shifting the momentum firmly in Pakistan’s favour. Muneeba’s knock of 36 played a key role at the top of the order, preventing a collapse, while Fatima remained unbeaten on 79* to ensure Pakistan kept building instead of settling for a modest total.
As the innings progressed, Pakistan’s finishing touch stood out: they reached 170/4 in their allotted 20 overs. In the final five overs alone, they produced 58 runs, tightening the pressure on Zimbabwe right at the end of the innings. When Zimbabwe came out to chase, their effort never truly gained rhythm.
Zimbabwe were already in trouble early, slipping to 29/3 inside the Powerplay. Nashra Sandhu then delivered a damaging burst, striking twice within the same over to further disrupt the batting order. Just when Zimbabwe were looking for a pathway to recovery, another wicket in the 9th over left them reeling at 51/6. The lower-order additions that followed proved largely inconsequential, allowing Pakistan to keep the required rate out of reach while also preventing any dramatic turnaround.
Zimbabwe did manage to move beyond the 100-run mark, but they were unable to avoid the heavy defeat. They finished on 103/8 in 20 overs and fell 67 runs short of Pakistan’s total, handing the series to Pakistan with a match to spare.
Brief Scores: Pakistan 170/4 in 20 overs (Eyman Fatima 79*, Muneeba Ali 36; Lindokuhle Mabhero 1-20) beat Zimbabwe 103/8 in 20 overs (Nomvelo Sibanda 18*; Nashra Sandhu 2-18, Sadia Iqbal 1-10) by 67 runs.
