With this win, Pakistan also moved on to number three on the table in the ICC World T20 Rankings © AFP
Pakistan registered another thrilling 15-run win over Zimbabwe in the second and final T20I match at the Harare Sports Club on Tuesday. Mohammad Irfan and Imaran Khan Jr. claimed a couple of wicket each as Sean Williams’s unbeaten knock of 40 was not enough to draw level in the series. With this win, Pakistan also moved on to number three on the table in the ICC World T20 Rankings. Earlier, Pakistan skipper, Shahid Afridi won the toss and elected to bat first on a typical slow-low Zimbabwean wicket which assisted the slower bowlers, as Pakistan finished on the same total as on Sunday for 136 with a loss of six wickets, while Umar Akmal played an enthralling knock of 38. LIVE SCORECARD: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan 2015, 2nd T20I at Harare
The chase began on a shaky note for Zimbabwe as it was the third over, with just seven runs on the board, opening batsman Chamu Chibhabha was dismissed for mere three after he was trapped leg before off fast-bowler Sohail Tanvir. The very next over, he was followed by his fellow opener, Hamilton Masakadza for just nine with just eight more added to the total. Also, Craig Ervine followed him the next over for a single off an unfortunate run out, and a couple of overs later, it was Richmond Mutumbani, who was bowled for just three by spinner, Imad Wasim as the score read 24 for the loss of four wickets in just seven overs. LIVE UPDATES: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan 2015, 1st T20I at Harare
However, it was the pair of Sikandar Raza and Sean williams that took good control of the game from thereon and in the process also put up a crucial 50-run stand for the fifth wicket as they went past 50 and brought Zimbabwe back in the game and were in contention for a win. The partnership was finally broken on 60, when Raza was dismissed by Imran Khan Jr., who bowled him for 36, while the scorte read 84. Out came the skipper and Elton Chigumbura fell after some good hitting as he was dismissed by Mohammad Irfan for 17 at the score of 101.
As the equation came down to 31 of the last 12 deliveries, things started looking close for both the teams. However, Pakistanjust had the slender advantage of getting out their key batsmen. Although Williams was still in the crease, there was still some enrgy among the Pakistran bowlers as they knew his wicket would do it all. Nevertheless, it was their confidence that led to the victory at last as Zimbabwe were unabvle to chase down the total, with Luke Jongwe the last man to be dismissed by Imaran Khan Jr, and owing to some good bowling in the last couple of overs from Tanvir and Imran Khan Jr., Pakistan won the game by 15 runs and made a 2-0 clean sweep in the series.
Brief scores:
Pakistan 136 for 6 in 20 overs (Sohaib Maqsood 26, Umar Akmal 38; Luke Jongwe 2 for 24) beat Zimbabwe 121 for 7 in 20 Overs (Sean Williams 40*, Sikandar Raza 36; Mohammad Irfan 2 for 25) by 15 runs.
Man of the Match: Umar Akmal (Pakistan)
Man of the Series: Imad Wasim (Pakistan)
(Ayush Gupta is a reporter at CricketCountry. A passionate supporter of Manchester United, he idolises Roger Federer and is also a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) maniac. He can be followed on Twitter @Ayush24x7)