2nd T20 Zimbabwe v Pakistan: Shehzad seals series win for Pakistan

Ahmed Shehzad's impressive form continued as he struck an unbeaten 98 to help Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 19 runs and wrap up the Twenty20 series in the second match at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

Having top-scored with 70 in Friday's win by 25 runs, the opener smashed six sixes on a placid pitch but fell short of his hundred when he managed only a single off the final ball of the innings as Pakistan posted 179 for one in their 20 overs.

Zimbabwe started their reply brightly, but some excellent spin bowling from Mohammad Hafeez (three for 30) and Zulfiqar Babar (two for 21) put the hosts behind the required rate and they never recovered, ending their 20 overs on 160 for six.

"The players have shown great commitment and confidence," skipper Hafeez told a TV interview at the presentation.

"They are showing great trust in each other and this is something we are trying to develop in our team. We thought 150 to 160 would be good on this track but Ahmed played very well."

Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field, but they were guilty of bowling on both sides of the wicket.

After the loss of Nasir Jamshed (23), Hafeez joined Shehzad at the crease and the pair bludgeoned their way to a second wicket partnership of 143 in under 15 overs. It was the joint-fifth highest partnership for all wickets in Twenty20 international history.

Shehzad had the opportunity to reach his century but could not get the three runs he needed off the final ball of the innings. It is still his highest Twenty20 international score. Hafeez finished not out on 54 from 40 balls.

Zimbabwe brought up their 50 in quick time before losing their first wicket, but were strangled by some excellent slow bowling.

Hamilton Masakadza (41 from 32 balls) was their best batsman, while Elton Chigumburu (35 from 19 balls) played a cameo at the end when the game was already lost.

"They got 20 too much, their two batters made it very difficult for us, but I also thought our bowlers missed their mark too many times," Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor said.

"They just outplayed us again and showed why they are a world-class team."

Pakistan completed a 2-0 sweep of the Twenty20 series with a 19-run victory in the second match against Zimbabwe on Saturday.

Zimbabwe made a bold bid to chase down the stiff target of 180 but fell short.

Masakadza led the way with 41 off 32 balls while Chigumbura kept alive their hopes till the end remaining unbeaten on 35 off 19 balls hammering two sixes and two boundaries.

Sean Williams (25) and Waller (20) also chipped in to keep the hosts in the hunt.

Hafeez claimed three for 30 and Babar two for 21.

ZIMBABWE INNINGS

Needing 31 off the last over from Tanvir, Chigumbura smashes a six and a boundary but Zimbabwe fall short finishing on 160-6 in 20 overs.

Waller smashes a six off Anwar Ali before holing out to Afridi. Zim 146-6.

Malcolm Waller c Afridi b Anwar Ali 20 (14b 2x4 1x6)

Chigumbura gets into the act smashing Babar out of the park. Zim 130-5 in 17 overs.

Waller keeps Zimbabwe in the hunt cracking consecutive boundaries off Asad Ali. Zim 119-5 in 16 overs.

Hafeez takes a brilliant catch to dismiss Maruma. Zim 109-5.

T Maruma c Hafeez b Babar 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)

Zimbabwe are faltering in their spirit run chase with Williams being stumped attempting a reverse sweep off Babar. Zim 109-4.

Sean Williams st Sarfraz Ahmed b Zulfiqar Babar 25 (16b 2x4 1x6)

Williams slams Hafeez for a six to bring up the 100 of the Zimbabwe innings in the 14th over.

Hafeez claims his third wicket as Masakadza holes out to Amin in the deep. im 95-3.

H Masakadza c Amin b Hafeez 41 (32b 4x4 1x6)

Williams sweeps Hafeez through midwicket for a boundary.

Masakadza cracks a six and boundary off Afridi. Zimb 77-2 in 11 overs.

Hafeez claims his second wicket as Taylor scoops a catch behind. Zim 57-2.

Brendan Taylor c Sarfraz Ahmed b Hafeez 3 (4b 0x4 0x6)

Hafeez strikes with his fourth delivery as Sibanda miscues to Tanvir at square leg. Zim 50-1.

Vusi Sibanda c Tanvir b Hafeez 23 (33b 3x4 0x6)

Babar begins with a maiden. Zim 44-0 in 6 overs.

Anwar Ali goes for 13 in his first over with Masakadza cracking consecutive boundaries after Sibanda swings his first delivery to fine leg. Zim 44-0 in 5 overs.

Sibanda smashes a couple of boundaries off Ali. Zim 31-0 in 4 overs.

Masakadza hits the first boundary of the innings cracking Tanvir through the covers. Zim 17-0 in 3 overs.

PAKISTAN INNINGS

Ahmad Shehzad is unbeaten on 98 which is the highest by a Pakistan in T20 international as they reach 179-1 in the second match against Zimbabwe on Saturday.

Shehzad's knock contained six sixes and six boundaries and came off 64 balls.

Hafeez was unbeatenon 54 off 40 balls with three boundaries and two sixes during an unfinished second wicket stand of 143 for the second wicket in 14.2 overs.

Shehzad moves into the 90s with another massive six off Vitori.

Shehzad smashes Panyangara back over his head for his fifth six. Pak 166-1 in 19 overs.

Hafeez slams a boundary to long on and then sends Masakadza sailing over midwicket out of the park to complete his half century. Pak 154-1 in 18 overs.

The 100 partnership for the second wicket comes off just 66 balls. Pak 139-1 in 17 overs.

Vitori goes for 14 as Shehzad finishes with another boundary. Pak 134-1 in 16 overs.

Shehzad paddle flicks Vitori to the fine leg fence followed by a massive six over long on.

Hafeez hoists a full toss from Utseya over midwicket. Pak 120-1 in 15 overs.

Shehzad brings up his third T20 international half century in style smashing Masakadza past long on for his fourth boundary. Pak 110-1 in 14 overs.

Shehzad slams Utseya over midwicket for another boundary. Pak 98-1 in 13 overs.

Shehzad goes on the offensive hoisting Masakadza into the stands over midwicket. Pak 89-1 in 12 overs.

It also brings up the 50 partnership in 45 balls for the unbroken second wicket.

Hafeez cracks Utseya through the covers for a boundary while Maruma makes a brilliant save on the line to prevent a six. Pak 79-1 in 11 overs.

Shehzad comes down the tracks and slams Williams back over his head for his second six. Pak 69-1 in 10 overs.

Shehzad slams Chigumbura over extra cover for another boundary. Pak 56-1 in 8 overs.

Hafeez slaps Chigumbura to the third man fence.

Shehzad gets a boundary off an inside edge off Williams. Pak 43-1 in 7 overs.

Masakadza strikes as Jamshed fails to clear Chigumbura who takes a good catch at midoff. Pak 36-1.

Nasir Jamshed c Chigumbura b Masakadza 23 (17b 3x4 1x6)

Jamshed pulls a bouncer from Masakadza for another boundary to square leg.

Jamshed whips Panyangara through midwicket for a boundary. Pak 32-0 in 5 overs.

Jamshed flicks Masakadza for a six over backward square leg. Pak 26-0 in 4 overs.

Jamshed survives slashing Vitori and is dropped at slip by Masakadza.

Jamshed gets a boundary with an outside edge off Panyangara. Pak 15-0 in 3 overs.

Shehzad opens the innings with a massive six over long on off Utseya. Pak 6-0 in 1 over.

Zimbabwe have won the toss and put Pakistan into bat in the second Twenty20 international at Harare on Saturday.

Pakistan won the first match on Friday by 25 runs.

Pakistan have opted to rest Mohammad Irfan and Saeed Ajmal with Asad Ali and Zulfiqar Babar taking their place.

PLAYING XI

Zimbabwe: H Masakadza, V Sibanda, B Taylor, T Maruma, S Williams, M Waller, E Chigumbura, P Utseya, T Panyangara, S Masakadza, B Vitori
   
Pakistan: Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Amin, Sohaib Maqsood, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Anwar Ali, Zulfiqar Babar, Sohail Tanvir, Asad Ali