Azhar Ali lead the charge with his 2nd ODI hundred and helped Pakistan take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3 match series.

By PakPassion.net Staff (29th May, 2015)

Result: Pakistan won by 6 wickets (with 16 balls remaining)

Toss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first

Teams:

Pakistan team: *Azhar Ali, Anwar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Hammad Azam, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Sami, +Sarfraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah.

Zimbabwe team: *H Masakadza, CJ Chibhabha, CK Coventry, AG Cremer, T Mupariwa, +R Mutumbami, T Panyangara, V Sibanda, Sikander Raza, BV Vitori, S Williams.

Azhar Ali's decision to field first in extremely hot conditions in Lahore was puzzling to say the least but to their credit, Pakistan bowlers manfully stuck to their tasks to make sure that the visitors who were without their main batsman and captain, Chigumbura, did not get away to post a huge total. It was Zimbabwe batsman Chibhabha (99) and Sikander Raza (100*) who stepped up for the visitors to help the team lead a respectable total but without support from the rest of the batting order, it was always going to be difficult. For Pakistan, all bowlers chipped in with Yasir Shah (2 wickets) and Wahab Riaz (2 wickets) being the most impressive in their spells. Zimbabwe thus ended with 268 runs in their allotment of 50 overs.

In order to chase down the target of 269, once again Sarfraz Ahmed was given an opportunity to open with captain Azhar Ali. Both provided a good base with a 46 run partnership until Sararaz was dismissed for 22 off Chibhabha's bowling. Then Mohammad Hafeez joined the skipper, but was dismissed by Graeme Cremer for 15. Asad Shafiq (39) was promoted up the order, and he supported skipper Azhar Ali with a 85 runs partnership. 

Captain Azhar Ali was the next man dismissed after an excellent 102. After his departure, Pakistan needed 60 runs from 59 balls.

Shoaib Malik joined his Sialkot Stallions team mate Haris Sohail and both batsmen looked in complete control against a Zimbabwe attack which seemed to lack any penetration. A quick fire 36 by Shoaib Malik and an elegant half century by Haris Sohail aided Pakistan to chase down the total with ease with 6 wickets in hand and with 16 balls left.

Pakistan have now won this series by 2-0 with one match to go.

Discuss!