Muqeem stars as Pakistan defeats Zimbabwe and wins the T20 series

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Pakistan wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem played a crucial 10-wicket Twenty20 international against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old took five wickets in a row and lost just three runs as Zimbabwe fell to 57 all out in 12.4 overs after a promising start.

Pakistan then took a 61-0 lead in 33 balls through Saim Ayub (36) and Omair Yousuf (22) to clinch a 57-run win in the first of three games last Sunday.

The win completed a white-ball double for the tourists, who won a one-day international series 2-1 last week.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha said: “Losing the toss didn’t worry us because we had plans and executed them really well. Sufiyan’s bowling was outstanding.”

“We have a young team full of quality players and the way they are playing is very encouraging to me.”

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza admitted his team is “doing very badly at the moment and they are doing very badly.”

“My biggest concern is whether we learn our lesson when we suffer defeats because we seem to make the same mistakes from game to game.”

Zimbabwe openers Brian Bennett (21) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (16) – the only batters to reach double figures – put together a 37-run partnership in four overs.

Then both fell within five balls and the home team lost their ten wickets for just 20 runs as Muqeem wreaked havoc.

Marumani was caught at Queens Sports Club by Tayyab Tahir at cover point and Bennett by Irfan Khan at deep square leg.

All-rounder Raza, often Zimbabwe’s savior, scored just three times before his off-stump was uprooted by Abbas Afridi.

Raza was among the four bowlers who failed to contain Ayub and Yousuf. The openers hit a total of ten boundaries, including a six each.

A four from Ayub after going behind sealed the win.

Pakistan completes the T20 series against Zimbabwe on Thursday. They then travel to South Africa for an eight-match tour across all formats, including two Tests.

Short scores

Zimbabwe 57 in 12.4 overs (Brian Bennett 21, Tadiwanashe Marumani 16; Sufiyan Muqeem 5-3, Abbas Afridi 2-2) versus Pakistan 61-0 in 5.3 overs (Saim Ayub 36 not out, Omair Yousuf 22 not out )

Result: Pakistan won by 10 wickets

Series: Pakistan leads 2-0 with one game to go

Litter: Zimbabwe

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