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 win 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 tournament side could accumulate 103/8 in their 20 overs and thus succumbed to a series-clinching defeat.
Captain Nomvelo Sibanda remained the top scorer for the Chevrons with an unbeaten 18 off 37 deliveries, followed by No.10 batsman Kudzai Chigora, who made 14 not out.
Besides them, Adel Zimunu, Lindokuhle Mabhero, 12 each, Beloved Biza (11) and Natasha Mtomba (10) could collect double figures against a disciplined Pakistan bowling attack.
Nashra Sandhu was the outstanding bowler for Pakistan 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 chipped in with one scalp each.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana’s decision to bat first eventually proved beneficial as the home side amassed 170/4 in their 20 overs, thanks to an unbeaten 78-run fifth-wicket partnership between Eyman and Natalia Pervaiz.
The Green Shirts got off to a brief flying start to their innings as their opening pair of Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza (nine) put on 27 runs before the latter fell victim to Michelle Mavunga on the third delivery of the fifth over.
Pakistan then suffered two setbacks to their batting expedition as last match centurion, Ayesha Zafar and returnee Iram Javed could muster four and five respectively.
With the scoreboard 46/3 in 7.4 overs, Eyman joined set-batsman Muneeba in the middle and the duo batted sensibly to add 46 runs for the fourth wicket until the opener was dismissed by Lindokuhle Mabhero in the 14th over.
After her departure, Eyman teamed up with batting all-rounder Natalia and the duo ensured a dominant finish with the bat for Pakistan by knitting an unbeaten stand of 78 runs.
Eyman, who dominated the deciding stand, remained the top scorer for Pakistan with an unbeaten 79 off 43 deliveries studded with 10 fours and four sixes, while Natalia contributed 24 not out from 19 balls, comprising three fours.
For Zimbabwe, Precious Marange, Mabhero and Mavunga took one wicket each.
