Left-arm orthodox spinner Sufiyan Muqeem delivered a sensational performance, claiming five wickets for just three runs, as Pakistan crushed Zimbabwe by ten wickets in the third T20I at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday.
With this emphatic victory, Pakistan secured the three-match T20 series with a 2-1 lead.
In response, Pakistani openers Saim Ayoub (36*) and Omair Yousaf (22*) comfortably chased the target in just 7.2 overs, ensuring a ten-wicket win.
Earlier after winning the toss, Zimbabwe’s captain Sikandar Raza chose to bat, but his decision backfired as Pakistan’s bowling attack dismantled the hosts. Zimbabwe initially showed promise with a 37-run opening stand between Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani in just 4.3 overs.
Abbas Afridi broke the partnership by dismissing Marumani for 16, while Haris Rauf removed Bennett in the next over after a quick 21 off 14 balls.
From there, Zimbabwe’s innings unraveled, losing eight wickets for just 20 runs. Afridi and Salman Ali Agha dismissed Sikandar Raza and Dion Myers for three runs each before Muqeem delivered a devastating spell.
The left-arm wrist-spinner claimed his first two wickets, Ryan Burl (1) and Tashinga Musekiwa (0), in consecutive deliveries and followed up with Wellington Masakadza (3) and Richard Ngarava (0). He sealed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Clive Madande (9), wrapping up the innings in just 12.4 overs.
