Pakistan celebrate after whitewashing Zimbabwe 2-0

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Pakistan opener Mukhtar Ahmed hammered a magnificent 62 to not only help his side beat Zimbabwe by two wickets, but also ensure that they completed a 2-0 series whitewash.

Ahmed was well supported by batsman Umar Akmal, who made a vital 30.

Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura would have been pleased with his decision to bat first as all-rounder Sean Williams smashed an unbeaten 58, which came off 32 balls and included seven boundaries and a six, to lead Zimbabwe to 175/3 off their 20 overs.

Williams made a gutsy 58

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Opener Vusi Sibanda chipped in with a useful 49, which came off 46 deliveries and included two boundaries and a six, while his opening partner Hamilton Masakadza scored 39.

Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Sami and Shoaib Malik picked up one wicket each.

Chasing 176 to win, Pakistan off to a solid start before opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad was dismissed for 18.

Pakistan began to lose wickets at regular intervals following Shehzad’s dismissal, but Ahmed kept his cool and went on to smash 62 runs off 40 balls, which included six boundaries and a six, before he was caught by Sibanda off the bowling of Sikandar Raza.

Ahmed scored his second successive half-century

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

With Pakistan continuing to lose wickets in a hurry, Akmal stood tall and walloped 30 runs off 21 deliveries, which included one boundary and two sixes.

Heading into the final over, Pakistan required 12 runs to win and it was Bilawal Bhatti who led his side to victory.

Bhatti smashed a six off the first ball, but missed the next. He managed to get two runs off the third ball before finishing things off with a lovely cover drive for four off the fourth ball of the over.

Williams and Chris Mpofu took two wickets apiece, while Raza, Brian Vitori and Prosper Utseya claimed one wicket each.