Pakistan sealed a 67-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second T20I, powered by Eyman Fatima’s unbeaten half-century and a disciplined bowling display, at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi, on Thursday.
The victory helped Pakistan secure an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, the final match of which will be played at the same venue on Friday.
Set to chase a daunting target of 171 runs, the touring team was able to amass 103/8 in their 20 overs and thus succumbed to a series-conceding defeat.
Captain Nomvelo Sibanda remained the top scorer for the Chevrons with an unbeaten 18 off 37 deliveries, followed by number 10 batsman Kudzai Chigora, who made 14 not out.
Apart from them, Adel Zimunu, Lindokuhle Mabhero, 12 each, Beloved Biza (11) and Natasha Mtomba (10) could rack up double figures against a disciplined Pakistan bowling attack.
Nashra Sandhu was Pakistan’s standout player as she took two wickets for just 18 runs in her three overs, while Sadia Iqbal, Tuba Hassan, Ayesha Zafar, Natalia Pervaiz and captain Fatima Sana contributed a scalp each.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana’s decision to bat first ultimately proved beneficial as the home team amassed 170/4 in their 20 overs, courtesy of an unbeaten 78-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Eyman and Natalia Pervaiz.
The Green Shirts made a brief successful start to their innings as their opening pair of Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza (nine) put together 27 runs before the latter fell victim to Michelle Mavunga in the third delivery of the fifth over.
Pakistan then suffered two more setbacks in their batting expedition as last match centurion Ayesha Zafar and comeback Iram Javed were able to muster four and five respectively.
With the score reading 46/3 in 7.4 overs, Eyman joined batsman Muneeba in the middle, and the duo batted sensibly to add 46 runs for the fourth wicket until Lindokuhle Mabhero dismissed the opener in the 14th over, walking back after scoring a 33-ball 36 with the help of four fours.
After his departure, Eyman joined forces with batting all-rounder Natalia, and the duo ensured a dominant finish with the bat for Pakistan by weaving an unbeaten 78-run stand.
Eyman, who dominated the crucial stand, remained Pakistan’s top scorer with an unbeaten 79 off 43 deliveries, studded with 10 fours and four sixes, while Natalia contributed 24 not out off 19 balls, including three fours.
For Zimbabwe, Precious Marange, Mabhero and Mavunga got one wicket each.
