Pakistan produced a strong performance to beat Zimbabwe by ten wickets in the second ODI to level the three-match series at 1-1.
Saim Ayub was the hero of the match with a record breaking century as he scored an unbeaten 113 off just 58 balls, the second fastest ODI hundred by a Pakistani after Shahid Afridi. Chasing 146, Pakistan reached the target in just 18 overs without losing a wicket.
Zimbabwe’s decision to bat first backfired as Pakistan’s spinners wreaked havoc. Abrar Ahmed took 33 for 4 on his debut and Salman Agha took 3 for 26 to guide Zimbabwe to 145 in 32.3 overs.
Zimbabwe’s Dion Myers (33) and Sean Williams (31) put up some resistance but a lack of partnership and two overs left them well short of a competitive result.
In response, the Pakistanis faced little resistance. Ayub’s aggressive batting, including 14 fours and six sixes, neutralized Zimbabwe’s attack, with Abdullah Shafique’s 32* anchoring the chase. Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled, with Blessing Muzarabani and Brandon Mavuta conceding many wickets.
The series is now tied 1-1, setting up a winner-take-all final.
PAK vs ZIM Head to Head Records- 3rd ODI, Pakistan Zimbabwe tour 2024
| Statistics | Matches | PAK won | ZIM won | He closed it | NR |
| In general | 64 | 55 | 06 | 01 | 02 |
| And Bulawayo | 09 | 07 | 02 | 0 | 0 |
| In the last 5 matches | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| In the ongoing series | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| In Zimbabwe | 30 | 24 | 04 | 0 | 02 |
| In 2024 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
PAK vs ZIM Head to Head Records: Key Statistics
Pakistan have maintained a stronghold over Zimbabwe in ODI cricket, dominating most of their encounters since the early 1990s. The two teams have faced each other in 20 bilateral series, Pakistan has won 18 of them.
Zimbabwe’s rare moments of success include a 1-1 draw in 1994/95 and a 2-1 series win in 2013, their only win against Pakistan.
Pakistan’s dominance is reflected in their 5-0 clean sweeps in 2002/03, 2007/08 and 2018.
The years have seen their powerful bowling attack and solid batting line-up outmaneuver Zimbabwe time and again.
Zimbabwe have not been able to match Pakistan in terms of consistency and depth in the last few years. Although they showed their ability to compete, Pakistan’s experience and quality often proved too much to overcome. The rivalry continues to highlight the difference between the two teams in international cricket.
PAK vs ZIM Head-to-Head Records: Last 5 Matches
Pakistan completely dominated Zimbabwe and won 4 out of 5 matches in Pak vs Zim rivalry.
PAK vs ZIM Head-to-Head Records: Top Performers:
Mohammad Yousuf also holds the record for most runs by a Pakistani batsman against Zimbabwe in ODIs. He scored 1,033 runs in 24 matches at an average of 73.78, which included three centuries and seven half-centuries, with a highest score of 141*.
And Grant Flower is Zimbabwe’s leading run-scorer in ODIs against Pakistan. He scored 906 runs in 30 matches at an average of 34.84 with one century and six fifties.
As for the bowling, Heath Streak remains Zimbabwe’s highest wicket-taker against Pakistan in ODIs with 35 wickets in 20 matches.
For Pakistan, Shahid Afridi leads the ODI chart against Zimbabwe with 34 wickets in 31 games.
The result
PAK vs ZIM has the head-to-head record in Pakistan’s favor and has largely dominated the contest with Zimbabwe winning and winning but the Host started on a winning note.
