In a historic T20I clash in Bulawayo, Sufiyan Muqeem delivered a masterclass in spin bowling, dismantling Zimbabwe with record-breaking figures to lead Pakistan to a ten-wicket victory. The triumph not only secured the series but also marked one of the most dominant performances in the format’s history.
Zimbabwe’s Lowest Ever T20I Total
Zimbabwe’s innings collapsed dramatically, as they were bundled out for a mere 57—their lowest total in T20I history. What began as a promising start quickly unravelled, with ten wickets falling for just 20 runs. Pakistan chased the target with 87 balls to spare, establishing the largest win by balls remaining between two Full Members in men’s T20I cricket.
A Fiery Start, Followed by a Freefall
Zimbabwe’s openers, Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani, made an aggressive start, taking the attack to Pakistan’s bowlers on what seemed a batting-friendly pitch. By the fourth over, Zimbabwe cruised at 37 for no loss, punishing Jahandad Khan and Abrar Ahmed with sublime timing and power.
However, Abbas Afridi sparked the collapse, dismissing Marumani with a sharp catch at cover-point. Haris Rauf followed up immediately, removing Bennett with the first ball of the next over. The game turned decisively when Afridi uprooted Sikandar Raza’s stumps, leaving Zimbabwe reeling.
Sufiyan Muqeem’s Magic: A Record-Breaking Spell
Salman Agha’s quick strike set the stage for Sufiyan Muqeem to take over. Using a mix of conventional wrist spin and deceptive wrong’uns, Muqeem bamboozled Zimbabwe’s middle and lower order.
- Ryan Burl fell victim to a googly, trapped plumb in front.
- Tashinga Musekiwa was bowled by a wrong’un on the very next ball, narrowly avoiding a hat-trick.
- Muqeem cleaned up the tail, finishing with a sensational 2.4-0-3-5—the best figures by a Pakistan bowler in T20Is.
Best T20I Figures Among Full Member Nations:
| Player | Opponent (Year) | Figures |
|---|---|---|
| Rangana Herath | NZ (2014) | 5-3 |
| Rashid Khan | IRE (2017) | 5-3 |
| Sufiyan Muqeem | ZIM (2024) | 5-3 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | AFG (2022) | 5-4 |
| Umar Gul | NZ (2009) | 5-6 |
Pakistan Cruise to Victory
Chasing 58 was a mere formality for Pakistan’s openers. Omair Yousuf set the tone with an 11-run opening over off Raza, while Saim Ayub showcased flair with audacious strokes, including a stunning whip for six off Trevor Gwandu.
Zimbabwe’s bowling struggled to create any pressure. Blessing Muzarabani, in particular, endured another tough outing, as both Ayub and Yousuf dispatched him to the boundary with ease. Pakistan reached the target without breaking a sweat, sealing the win in just 5.3 overs.
With this emphatic series win, Pakistan demonstrated their T20I prowess, while Sufiyan Muqeem’s unforgettable spell etched his name into the annals of cricketing greatness.
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