Pakistan leveled the three-match series by defeating Zimbabwe by 10 wickets thanks to Saeem Ayub’s 62-ball 113 in the crucial second One-Day International (ODI) at the Queen’s Sports Club, Bulawayo on Tuesday.
Set to chase down a modest 146, Pakistan reached the total with 190 balls remaining without the loss of a wicket thanks to a brilliant century from Saim.
The left-hander dominated the match-winning partnership with sensational hitting, which saw him score his maiden ODI century in just 53 balls.
His quick century was the third fastest by a Pakistani batsman in men’s ODIs, only behind legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi.
For Pakistan, Saim scored an unbeaten 113 off just 62 balls, which included 20 fours including three sixes, while Abdullah Shafiq made 32 not out.
Batting first, Zimbabwe managed to score just 145 runs before being bowled out in the 33rd over.
The home side made a shaky start to their innings as their openers Tadiwanashe Marumani (4) and Jewelward Gumbi (5) perished after making modest contributions.
After the breakdown, top-order batsman Dion Myers and skipper Craig Irvine briefly got the innings going with a 38-run partnership.
Myers, who was the main aggressor in the crucial stand, fell victim to Salman Ali Agha in the 13th over. He was the top scorer for the hosts with 33 runs off 30 balls with six fours.
Agha destroyed the middle order by dismissing Irvine and Sikandar Raza in quick succession, taking the hosts to 97/5 in 20.2 overs.
Veteran all-rounder Shaun Williams put up a remarkable fightback with a careful 31 off 39 balls.
However, after his departure in the 26th over with 121 runs on the board, Zimbabwe managed to add 24 runs for the loss of their remaining wickets despite an 11-run cameo from Blessing Mazarbani.
Abrar was the standout bowler for Pakistan, taking four wickets, followed by Agha with three wickets, while Faisal Akram and Saeem Ayub took one each.
The 10-wicket victory leveled Pakistan at 1-1 in the three-match series, with the final ODI scheduled for Thursday at the same venue.
The troop
Pakistan: Muhammad Rizwan (Captain), Abrar Ahmed, Amir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Salman Ali Agha (Vice-Captain), Shahnawaz Durman, Saeem. . Ayub and Tayyab Tahir
Zimbabwe: Craig Irvine (capt), Brian Bennett, Blessing Mazarbani, Brendan Mawta, Clive Madande, Devon Myers, Faraz Akram, Joelward Gumbi, Richard Ngarwa, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Tadewanashe Marumani, Tashenga Musikewa, G Trinotenda and G.