ZIM vs PAK, 2nd ODI: Saim Ayub blasts 53-ball hundred, helps Pakistan bounce back

ZIM vs PAK: Saim Ayub smacked a 53-ball century as Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 10 wickets on Tuesday to draw level in the three-match series. Ayub also won the Player of the Match award.

In Short

• Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 10 wickets in Bulawayo
• Saim Ayub smashed a 53-ball 100 in the run-chase
• Pakistan chased down 146 with 31.4 overs to spare

Saim Ayub smashed the joint third-fastest hundred by a Pakistani batter in ODIs as the visitors bounced back in the three-match series against Zimbabwe with a 10-wicket win on Tuesday, November 26 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. After losing the opening game by 80 runs (DLS), Mohammad Rizwan and Co. drew level in the series.

ZIM vs PAK, 2nd ODI Highlights

Ayub blasted a 53-ball century as Pakistan chased down a target of 146 with 31.4 overs left in their innings. The southpaw along with Abdullah Shafique put on 148 runs for the opening wicket to blow Zimbabwe away. Even as Shafique played the sheer-anchor’s role with an unbeaten 32-run knock, Ayub played his shots freely.

Ayub’s knock was laced with 17 fours and three sixes as he stayed not out on 113 runs off 62 balls. The southpaw reached his fifty with a massive six over Trevor Gwandu, and he brought up his three-figure score with a boundary off Sikandar Raza. Shahid Afridi still holds the record for the fastest ODI hundred by a Pakistani off 37 balls.

Abrar, Salman shine for Pakistan

Earlier, after being asked to field first, Pakistan bowled Zimbabwe out for 145 in 32.3 overs. Abrar Ahmed bowled a brilliant spell on debut, finishing with figures of 8-2-33-4. Vice-captain Salman Agha also chipped in with three crucial wickets of Craig Ervine, Dion Myers and Raza.

Apart from his incredible performance with the bat, Ayub also made a handy contribution with the ball, taking Sean Williams’ wicket. The pace duo of Haris Rauf and Aamer Jamal could not make a breakthrough. For Zimbabwe, Myers and Williams made 33 and 31 respectively.

Ervine, Raza and Brian Bennett also got starts, but failed to convert. Their openers, Joylord Gumbie and Tadiwanashe Marumani could not go beyond single digits.

The third and final ODI is scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 28.