Bowlers help Pakistan win 2nd T20, series against Zimbabwe

HARARE: Another impressive display by both pacers and spinners helped Pakistan win the 2nd and last Twenty20 International against Zimbabwe by 15 runs, clinching the two-match series 2-0 here at the Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.

Zimbabwe never got going in their response to Pakistan's 136, having slipped to 24 for four in the seventh over, and finished on 121 for seven from their 20 overs.

Mohammad Irfan took 2 wickets for 25 and Sohail Tanvir 1 for only 18 in their allotted four overs.

Imad Wasim shone again, giving away only 14 runs and took a wicket while Imran Khan Junior managed to bag a wicket as well.

Wasim bagged the "man of the series" award for his brilliant all-round performance. He grabbed four wickets for Pakistan leading to the 13 run victory on Sunday also.

Umar Akmal and Imad Wasim struck crucial blows late in the innings to carry Pakistan to a respectable score after winning the toss and electing to bat first earlier in the day.

Akmal won the "man of the match" award for his power hitting.

After struggling to gain any meaningful momentum with the bat, the tourists went into the final two overs with just 112 runs on the board, only for Akmal and Wasim to lift them to a final score of 136 for six.

Pakistan thus matched their total from Sunday´s first encounter at the same venue, which they went on to win by 13 runs.

With the second game being played on the same pitch, low and slow conditions made the going heavy for the batsmen, particularly with Zimbabwe showing good discipline with the ball.

While Sohaib Maqsood anchored the innings with a run-a-ball 26, only Akmal and Wasim were able to take the attack to the hosts.

Akmal finished unbeaten on 38 from just 28 deliveries having hit the only six of the innings, while seamers Tinashe Panyangara and Luke Jongwe took two wickets apiece for Zimbabwe.

Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 13 runs in the first T20–AFP/Geo