adminZimbabwe as the tourists extended their dominance at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
Zimbabwe won the toss and put Pakistan in to bat first.
The visitors grabbed the opportunity with both hands and put on an imposing 198 runs for the loss of four wickets in their 20 overs on a good pitch. But the hosts responded awfully as they could only manage 113 runs on the board before being cleaned up inside 15.2 overs.
Pakistan now lead the two-match series 1-0 and the teams will meet in the last match of the tour tomorrow.
Chasing such a challenging target, the home side never came into the game and perhaps the only highlight for the side was Charles Coventry’s quick 30 from 13 deliveries and a promising innings from opener Chamu Chibhabha (28).
Man-of-the-match Hafeez (71) who had earlier on provided the steel in the Pakistan innings with a fluent half-century then followed up his good performances to finish with a four-wicket haul.
Clearly one of the best performers in the Pakistani team in this tour, Hafeez went on to finish with the best bowling figures of 4-10 in 2.2 overs while Sohail Khan weighed in with 2-13 as Pakistan virtually outclassed the home team in all departments.
The tourists had got off to an explosive start with Hafeez and Asad Shafiq (38) laying a good foundation after knitting together a fiery first wicket stand of 74 runs from 6.5 overs.
Christopher Mpofu was the most expensive of the Zimbabwean bowlers after conceding 59 runs from four overs that yielded no wicket in return.
The Pakistani opening pair dominated the Zimbabwe attack and cruised at a run rate of just over 11 in the first six overs until Shafiq was run out after contributing 38 runs from 23 deliveries. Hafeez was to follow later when he got a low full toss on the pads and attempted to drive it over midwicket, but Coventry did well to collect the catch from the bowling of Chibhabha.
But the fall came after a good innings that included six fours and three sixes, which allowed the middle order to build on with much ease.
Pakistan captain Misbhah-ul-Haq was pleased by the performance of his team.
“Everyone is taking up their responsibility. Especially Hafeez, the way he’s gone. Asad Shafiq too played very well,” he said.
“We just wanted the top order to play normal cricketing shot, and that’s just what they did. The credit for the fielding goes to both coaches.
“Everyone understands how important this aspect of the game is these days, and the boys have worked hard to get to this level,” said Misbah.
In response, the Zimbabweans, who were already reeling under pressure, never troubled their opponents losing Vusi Sibanda (7) and Cephas Zhuwao (0) early to leave the score on 13/2.
Coventry, who returned to the team since last taking part in the World Cup, returned with some decent shots and was probably the only talking point in the side after his short-lived but exciting innings.
So dominant were the Pakistan bowlers that his 30 runs was the highest score for the team.
Coach Alan Butcher was disappointed by the defeat.
“It’s always disappointing to lose a match but we have to give credit to the opposition. They have played really well and we haven’t really been at our best. To get 200 will always be a tough task but there were a couple of bright spots in Chamu and Coventry. They scratched some good blows but it was not good enough to get into the act,” said Butcher.
Pakistan Innings
M. Hafeec Coventry b Chibhabha 71 (48)
A. Shafiqrunout (Taibu/Coventry)38 (23)
R. RajalbwPrice23 (27)
U.Akmalnot out 22 (11)
S. Malik c Masakadza b Jarvis7 (7)
S. Tanvirnot out 17 (5)
Extras (lb 4, w 15, nb 1) 20
Total (4 wickets, 20 overs) 198 (9.90 runs per over)
Did not bat: Misbah-ul-Haq, Sohail Khan, Aizaz Cheema, Yasir Shah, Saeed Ajmal.
Online Reporter