Watch cricket video highlights of Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024. 2nd One Day International between Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Venue of the match will be Bulawayo.
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Pakistan leveled the series after thrashing Zimbabwe by 10 wickets in the second ODI, making up for a lackluster showing in the first. As Pakistan easily reached the goal of 146 with 32 overs remaining, opener Saim Ayub reached three figures in 53 balls, the quickest ODI century by any Pakistani other than Shahid Afridi. After being requested to bowl first, Pakistan’s spinners put Zimbabwe on the defensive, and debutant Abrar Ahmed’s 4 for 33 was the highlight of the match as Zimbabwe was bowled out in 32.3 overs, capping an all-around effort.
Pakistan had collapsed to 60 for 6 in the first ODI and knew they had work to do when they were given a target, no matter how little, but it was clear that Zimbabwe had slipped much below average in the first innings. However, there was no drama this time around since the openers got off to a strong start and carried on that way. Leading the charge, Ayub’s innate aggressiveness neutralized Blessing Muzarabani’s initial danger and allowed Abdullah Shafique to gain form. A few early jitters were present.
Ayub’s heavy outside edge was drawn by Richard Ngarava and soared into the empty second slip area. Shafique’s misguided drive reached Sean Williams at backward point, but the fielder shelled it. Ayub was purring at this point. After receiving two explosive off-side strokes, Trevor Gwandu, the first change, responded with a four and a six in his second over. Ayub was only in third gear when the six put him at a 32-ball half-century. Without scoreboard pressure, the spinners had limited options.
Legspinner Brandon Mavuta gave up 47 runs in the four overs he bowled and was hit for three consecutive boundaries at the beginning of the 14th over. Because Ayub could take him out whenever he wanted, Sikandar Raza was also unable to be the handbrake he usually is. Ayub received the barrier that brought him to three figures from him. His modest celebration—a simple whipping of the helmet and a quick smile toward the dressing room—did not fully capture the intensity of the innings, but his teammates in the pavilion, who were cheering him on, understood he had done his job.
Pakistan’s spinners dominated the first innings, dismissing Zimbabwe for 145 thanks to their outstanding ball-handling performance. Dion Myers’ thrilling 30-ball 33 gave Zimbabwe a strong start after winning the toss and choosing to bat first, but the absence of significant contributions and the discipline of Pakistan’s spinners prevented Zimbabwe from forming any lasting partnerships. Joylord Gumbie and Tadiwanashe Marumani broke the opening stand during the second run-out in as many games.
Before Myers and Craig Ervine started to rebuild, Abrar Ahmed, who was opening the bowling with Aamer Jamal, got a crisp turn to get rid of Gumbie for his maiden ODI wicket. Ervine was happy to let Myers take the initiative, and the 38 they put together were able to return Zimbabwe to a more even playing field. However, Salman Agha—possibly the best spinner for Pakistan that day—trapped Myers in front and got Ervine to nick him, which put Zimbabwe on the defensive. From there, wickets dropped at regular intervals.
Salman’s decision to have Raza dig out into the off side reduced Zimbabwe to 97 for 5, preventing another rebuild, this time from Williams and Raza. When Ayub was stranded in front of a Williams reverse sweep attempt, the lower-order collapse occurred, and the others fell in a heap. Abrar came back to claim his fourth wicket, and Faisal Akram dismissed Muzarabani to end the innings as Zimbabwe lost the final five wickets for 24 runs. At the time, it appeared to be considerably below par, and by the time Ayub finished, it was evident.
