HARARE: An unbeaten 136 from Mohammad Hafeez laid the platform for Pakistan as they beat Zimbabwe by 90 runs in the second one-day international in Harare yesterday.
A confident batting display, with just one half-chance offered to the home side, saw Hafeez anchor a high-scoring game as Pakistan made 299 for four off their 50 overs.
In reply, Zimbabwe fell well short but only after a promising partnership between captain Brendan Taylor and Malcolm Waller was broken with another 100 runs required off the last 11 overs.
The three-match series is now tied a 1-1 after Zimbabwe recorded their first win over Pakistan in 15 years on Tuesday.
The third and deciding match is also at the Harare Sports Club tomorrow.
Hafeez reached his second highest score in one-day cricket off 205 balls and was he ably supported by Umar Amin (59) and a late cameo from the swashbuckling Shahid Afridi.
“We wanted to win comprehensively but we were looking at about 260, we never thought we’d get up near 300. The wicket was a little green at the start but the conditions improved,” Hafeez said after accepting the man of the match award. REUTERS
