Abrar and Saim secure Pakistan's dominant series-level win against Zimbabwe

After suffering a shocking defeat in the rain-shortened three-match ODI series opener against the hosts Zimbabwe, Pakistan made a solid comeback with a thrashing 10-wicket victory to level the series before the last game of the series.

After the hosts chose to bat first in the second ODI, they were bundled out for only 145 runs. In reply, Pakistan openers this time batted strongly to reach the target in 18.2 overs without losing a wicket. While the debutant Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed shined with the ball, opener Saim Ayub recorded a smashing ODI century in that low chase. 

In the Zimbabwe batting line-up, only Dion Myers (33) and Sean Williams (31) reached the 20-run mark. Pakistan spinners bagged nine wickets in that innings, where the debutant leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed had the bowling figures of 8-2-33-4, and the off-spinner Salman Agha got three wickets (7-0-26-3). Saim Ayub (1/16) and Faisal Akram (1/19) got one wicket each, while the opener Tadiwanashe Marumani was run out. 

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In reply, the 22-year-old Pakistan opener Saim Ayub hit his first ODI hundred in his fifth ODI by smashing a 53-ball century. After completing his 50 runs in 32 balls, the left-handed opening batter powerfully completed his century. While Ayub scored 113 not out off 62 balls with the help of 17 fours and three sixes, his opening partner Abdullah Shafique scored 32 not out off 48 balls.

Debutant Abrar Ahmed claimed a four-wicket haul

• Abrar Ahmed recorded the fifth-best bowling figures by an ODI debutant spinner outside the home. 
• Abrar recorded the third-best bowling figures by a Pakistan ODI debutant. 

Best bowling figures by a Pakistan ODI debutant

 

Pakistan spinners took nine wickets

• It was the fourth time when Pakistan spinners picked up at least nine wickets in an ODI innings. Out of these four times, Pakistan spinners recorded three times against Zimbabwe, including recording all ten wickets in an innings. 

 

Saim Ayub recorded one of the fastest ODI centuries

• With his 53-ball century, the opener Saim Ayub recorded the joint third-fastest ODI century by a Pakistan batter. 

Pakistan batters with fastest ODI centuries

 

Pakistan won by 10 wickets

• It was the fifth time Pakistan won by 10 wickets in an ODI match. However, Zimbabwe became the first team to lose against Pakistan by 10 wickets twice. 

Pakistan ODI record: Winning by 10 wickets