RAWALPINDI: All-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed and captain Babar Azam produced stellar performances as Pakistan secured an ODI series win against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi today (Sunday).
Chasing a moderate total of 207, Pakistan completed their victory in only 35.1 overs with captain Babar Azam hitting an unbeaten 77. Opener Imam-ul-Haq made 49 and along with his partner Abid Ali (22) provided a solid start of 68 runs.
Later, 20-year-old debutant Haider Ali played a confident breezy innings of 24-ball 29, laced with two sixes and a boundary. Mohammad Rizwan could score only one run while Iftikhar Ahmed, made 16 and remained not out.
The Men in Green came in the second of the three-match series with a 1-0 lead after winning the first ODI by 26-run margin on Friday.
It was the visitors who won the toss and decided to bat first but the decision backfired as they were bundled out for just 206. The star of the show for Pakistan was off-spinner Iftikhar Ahmed who finished with career-best figures of 5-40.
He was well-supported by young right-arm pacer Muhammad Moosa who claimed two wickets and gave away just 21 runs in 6.1 overs. For the visitors, veteran left-handed batsman Sean Williams was the only performer in the batting department as he finished with the top score of 75 off 70 balls.
The final match of the three-game series will be played at the same venue on Tuesday. Today’s match was a milestone for Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar, beating the world record of 209 he held jointly with South Africa’s Rudi Koertzen.
