The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
That wraps up the coverage of the second ODI, where Pakistan put on a dominant performance to level the series. This is Meeth Agrawal, signing off alongside my co-commentators Sourabh and Arya. Thank you for joining us, and we’ll see you for the much-anticipated series decider on the 28th. Until then, stay safe and take care!
Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan Captain): The past is past; our focus is on the next match now. The bowlers did a fantastic job, setting the foundation, and then Saim Ayub followed through brilliantly. There's no point dwelling on the previous game; we’ve accepted it and moved on. Speaking about Abrar Ahmed, he’s an exceptional bowler. Unfortunately, he didn’t get a chance earlier, but it’s evident that his performance today is 70% experience and 30% raw talent. He’s a valuable asset for Pakistan and will continue to shine.
Saim Ayub (POTM) - I’ve already forgotten the first game, and we’ll forget this one too. The focus is on staying in the present and taking it one game at a time. The wicket in the last game was a bit tricky and the conditions were different. Even today, the wicket was somewhat similar, but I tried to play carefully. We practice for all types of conditions, not just one specific type, and that helped me today.
FASTEST MEN'S ODI HUNDREDS FOR PAKISTAN
37b - Shahid Afridi vs Sri Lanka (Nairobi, 1996) 45b - Shahid Afridi vs India (Kanpur, 2005) 53b - Shahid Afridi vs Bangladesh (Dambulla, 2010) 53b - Saim Ayub vs Zimbabwe (Bulawayo, 2024)
Craig Ervine (Zimbabwe Captain): Today's wicket was a lot better than the previous game. We did not really apply ourselves and get those partnerships. It is about finding the balance between playing our shots but then be able to play out those 50 overs, sometimes we get out and see there is still 35 overs left. Guys look to need a hard look at themselves, including myself, in the next game. They utilized the conditions better than us but and have got really good spinners too. The wicket really flattened out in the afternoon, probably we would have bowled first in hindsight. I don't think so (about the lack of early wickets being a problem). Blessing and Ngarava have been really good for us and they will surely come back soon with wickets.
Pakistan win by 10 wickets
Saim Ayub - 113* (62) | Abdullah Shafique - 32* (48) Dion Myers - 33 (30) | Abrar Ahmed - 4/33
What a remarkable run chase from the Pakistani openers to level the series! Saim Ayub, with his scintillating knock, showed his class right from the start and ended up scoring his maiden ODI century. His knock, which came at a strike rate of almost 200, was the joint-third fastest century for Pakistan. Supported brilliantly by Abdullah Shafique, the two of them chased down the total inside 20 overs without losing a wicket. It was an impressive, calculated, and dominant partnership that sealed the game for Pakistan.
On the bowling front, Pakistan's spinners completely dominated the match. Agha Salman and debutant Abrar Ahmed led the charge, combining for seven wickets. Abrar's four wickets and Salman's three were crucial in stifling Zimbabwe's batting lineup.
Zimbabwe's batting, on the other hand, was disappointing. It wasn't just Pakistan's excellent bowling; it was also the lackluster approach from the Zimbabwe batters that helped the bowlers look even better. They failed to adapt to the pitch, and the sloppy shot selection at key moments cost them dearly. What's more surprising was Zimbabwe's bowling strategy - not introducing spin during the powerplay when it was evident that the pitch offered little support for the pacers. This tactical error handed Pakistan's openers an easy entry into the game, and by the time Zimbabwe brought in their spinners, the damage was already done.
In conclusion, it was a poor display from the hosts, both with the bat and ball. With the series now level, it all comes down to the final match on the 28th, where everything will be decided. A lot of work to do for Zimbabwe, while Pakistan will be full of confidence heading into the decider.
18.2 Sikandar Raza to Abdullah Shafique, FOUR AND PAKISTAN HAVE MADE AN ABSOLUTE MOCKERY OF THIS TARGET, drifitng into the legs, Abdullah goes low and picks it up over the leg side, a few bounces and it rolls away into the fence. What a demolition job this has been from Pakistan who win with 31.4 overs remaining and level the series 1-1
18.1 Sikandar Raza to Abdullah Shafique, length delivery into the pads, clipped to square leg, no run
Just 2 runs away from victory now! Pakistan are on the brink of leveling the series with a dominant performance. Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique have guided the team to the doorstep of an easy win. Zimbabwe's bowlers have nothing left to give, and it's all about seeing the chase through for Pakistan. A formality now, surely!