Saim hits maiden ton as Pakistan thrash Zimbabwe

Pakistan opener Saim Ayub smashed his maiden ton as Pakistan hammered Zimbabwe in the second ODI on Tuesday.

Set to chase a modest 146, Pakistan comfortably amassed the total without losing a wicket and 190 balls to spare, thanks to Saim’s blistering century.

The southpaw smashed 17 boundaries and three maximums to score an unbeaten 113 of 62 deliveries.

Saim’s brisk century was the third-fastest by a Pakistan batter in men’s ODIs, only behind legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi.

He was well supported by fellow opener Abdullah Shafique, who scored 32 not out, as Pakistan completed the target in 18.2 overs.

With this 10-wicket victory, the three-match series is now leveled at 1-1.

Earlier, Abrar Ahmed claimed a four-wicket haul on debut to restrict the hosts to 145 at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday.

The home side had a shaky start as their openers Tadiwanashe Marumani (4) and Joylord Gumbie (5) were back in the hut with just 23 runs on the scoreboard.

Following the brief slump, Dion Myers and skipper Craig Ervine anchored the innings with a 38-run stand for the third wicket.

Myers fell victim to Salman Ali Agha in the 13th over. He remained the top-scorer for the hosts with a 30-ball 33.

Agha triggered a middle-order collapse by dismissing Ervine and Sikandar Raza in quick succession, reducing the hosts to 97/5 in 20.2 overs.

Experienced all-rounder Sean Williams offered a notable fight with a cautious 31 off 39 deliveries.

However, after his departure in the 26^th, Zimbabwe only managed to add just 24 runs before perishing completely.

Abrar was the star of the show with the ball for Pakistan as he bagged four wickets, followed by Agha with three scalps, while Faisal Akram and Saim Ayub struck out one batter apiece.

The 10-wicket victory lifted Pakistan to level the three-match series 1-1, with the final ODI scheduled to take place on Thursday at the same venue.