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Saim Ayub scored an unbeaten 113 as Pakistan crushed Zimbabwe by 10 wickets in Bulawayo on Tuesday to level a one-day international series with one match to spare.
Zimbabwe were out for 145 at Queens Sports Club as they sought a second victory over the tourists in three days after winning by 80 runs in a rain-shortened opening match.
Pakistan then atone for their dismal batting performance on Sunday with Ayub and compatriot Abdullah Shafique (32 not out) reaching their target in 18.2 overs.
“We have already forgotten the first match and we will try to forget this match while trying to stay in the present and take one match at a time,” man of the match Ayub told reporters.
“In the previous match the ball stopped more and the weather was also different. Today it was slow on one side and better on the other.
“I had to be careful and I didn’t think I could use all my shots. We train on all kinds of courts, not just one.”
Ayub hit 17 runs and three sixes off 62 balls in 75 minutes while Shafique claimed four fours in the southern city.
Left-hander Ayub, 22, needed 32 balls for his half-century and reached his ton with 53 deliveries – the second-fastest in an ODI international by a Pakistani after Shahid Afridi.
He had an early escape when Richard Ngarava drew a thick outside edge that flew into the vacant second-slip area.
Zimbabwe’s poor fielding also saved Shafique, whose wayward run was abandoned at backward point by veteran all-rounder Sean Williams.
Zimbabwe, seeking a maiden ODI series win against Pakistan, used five bowlers but none made an impression with Brandon Mavuta, who conceded 47 runs in four overs, particularly costly.
After winning the toss, Zimbabwe soon found themselves in trouble with openers Joylord Gumbie (five) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (four) back in the pavilion with fewer than four overs bowled.
Only Dion Myers, who hit six fours in his 30-ball 33, and Williams, who posted 31 before being trapped earlier by Ayub, impressed for the home side.
Pakistani-origin all-rounder Sikandar Raza, often Zimbabwe’s batting savior, made just 17 before becoming one of Salman Ali Agha’s three victims.
Debutant Abrar Ahmed took four wickets and Ali Agha three for Pakistan, who arrived in southern Africa after a 3-0 ODI series defeat in Australia.
The deciding Zimbabwe ODI series is scheduled for Thursday, followed by three Twenty20 internationals starting on Sunday, also in Bulawayo. Pakistan then travels to South Africa for an all-format tour.
Brief scores
Zimbabwe 145 in 32.3 overs (D. Myers 33, S. Williams 31; A. Ahmed 4-33, S. Agha 3-26) v Pakistan 148-0 in 18.2 overs (S. Ayub 113 not out, A. Shafique 32 not out)
Result: Pakistan won by 10 wickets
Series: Zimbabwe and Pakistan draw 1-1 with one match remaining on Thursday
Draw: Zimbabwe
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