Umar Akmal inspires Pakistan to T20 series win over Zimbabwe

Sport360 staff 19:54 29/09/2015
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  • Umar Akmal scored an unbeaten 38 off 28 balls in Harare.

    Zimbabwe failed to chase 137 for the second successive match as Pakistan clinched a 2-0 Twenty20 international series victory courtesy of a 15-run win in Harare.

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    Having posted 136 for six, matching the total they compiled in Sunday's 13-run victory on the same pitch, Pakistan produced another impressive bowling performance to limit the unchanged hosts to 121 for seven.

    Imad Wasim, who took four for 11 in the previous match, claimed a wicket and was involved in a run out as Zimbabwe slipped to 24 for four in the seventh over of their chase.

    Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza kept Zimbabwe's hopes alive with a 60-run fifth-wicket stand in 10 overs, leaving 53 required from 24 deliveries.

    But Raza was bowled by Imran Khan at the start of the next set of six for a run-a-ball 36 and, despite hitting the same bowler for two maximums, Elton Chigumbura became Mohammad Irfan's second victim in the following over.

    That left Zimbabwe with too much to do, despite a 36-ball 40 not out from Williams, and are still without a T20 international victory over Pakistan.

    Shahid Afridi's side had again struggled after winning the toss, losing wickets at regular intervals before man-of-the-match Umar Akmal added late impetus with an unbeaten 38 off 28 balls that included two fours and a six.

    Seamers Tinashe Panyangara and Luke Jongwe hampered Pakistan with figures of 2-27 and 2-24 respectively.

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