Pakistan women clinch T20I series against Zimbabwe with dominant 67-run win in Karachi
By Sadia Khan :
Pakistan women’s national cricket team secured a commanding 67-run victory over Zimbabwe women’s national cricket team in the second Twenty20 International at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday, sealing the three-match series with an unassailable 2-0 lead.
A superb unbeaten innings from Eyman Fatima and a disciplined bowling performance helped the hosts dominate the contest after posting a challenging total of 170 for four.
Chasing 171 for victory, Zimbabwe struggled throughout their innings against Pakistan’s controlled bowling attack and could only reach 103 for eight in their allotted 20 overs.
Zimbabwe captain Nomvelo Sibanda remained unbeaten on 18 from 37 deliveries but was unable to accelerate the scoring rate as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
Lower-order batter Kudzai Chigora added an unbeaten 14 runs, while Adel Zimunu and Lindokuhle Mabhero scored 12 each. Beloved Biza made 11 and Natasha Mtomba contributed 10, but none of the Zimbabwe batters managed to build a substantial partnership.
Pakistan’s bowling unit maintained pressure throughout the innings, restricting boundaries and forcing the visitors into a defensive approach.
Spinner Nashra Sandhu produced the most economical spell for the home side, taking two wickets for just 18 runs in her three overs.
Sadia Iqbal, Tuba Hassan, Ayesha Zafar, Natalia Pervaiz and captain Fatima Sana also chipped in with one wicket each as Pakistan comfortably defended their total.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana elected to bat first after winning the toss, a decision that ultimately proved decisive as the hosts recovered strongly from a shaky middle phase to post a competitive total.
Pakistan started positively, with opening batters Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza putting together 27 runs for the first wicket.
However, Zimbabwe struck back when Gull Feroza was dismissed for nine by Michelle Mavunga in the fifth over.
The home side then lost momentum as Pakistan suffered two quick wickets. Ayesha Zafar, who had starred with a century in the previous match, managed only four runs, while experienced batter Iram Javed added five before departing.
At 46 for three in the eighth over, Pakistan appeared vulnerable, but Eyman Fatima steadied the innings with a composed partnership alongside Muneeba Ali.
The pair added 46 runs for the fourth wicket, rebuilding the innings carefully before Muneeba was dismissed for 36 from 33 deliveries. Her innings included four boundaries and provided Pakistan with a stable platform heading into the closing overs.
After Muneeba’s departure, Eyman shifted gears and combined with Natalia Pervaiz in an aggressive unbeaten stand worth 78 runs for the fifth wicket.
Eyman dominated the latter stages of the innings with an attacking display, remaining unbeaten on 79 from just 43 deliveries. Her innings featured 10 fours and four sixes and was widely regarded as the match-winning contribution.
Natalia Pervaiz provided strong support with an unbeaten 24 from 19 balls, striking three boundaries as Pakistan accelerated sharply in the final overs.
For Zimbabwe, Precious Marange, Lindokuhle Mabhero and Michelle Mavunga claimed one wicket each but struggled to contain Pakistan’s late scoring surge.
With the series already secured, Pakistan will now look to complete a clean sweep when the third and final T20I takes place at the same venue in Karachi on Friday.
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