Pakistan tie up series win over Zimbabwe

Younus Khan made 81 in 90 balls to underpin a total of 270 for five, with Aizaz Cheema collecting four wickets as the hosts fell 28 short of their target with nine out.

Zimbabwe skipper Brendan Taylor won the toss and put in Pakistan, for whom only Shoaib Malik, with 14, failed to breach 20. Mohammad Hafeez and Imran Farhat, who together chased down a target of 226 to secure a ten-wicket win in Sunday’s second ODI, again got their side off to a strong start.

They put on 45 inside seven overs before Hafeez fell for 23 when his pull off Brian Vitori picked out Malcolm Waller on the boundary.

Farhat was smartly caught by Chamu Chibhabha, bringing Younus to the crease. He picked up the tempo and reached his half-century from 58 balls, with five fours. Asad Shafiq followed, reaching the landmark from 69 balls, but he was dismissed with the addition of just one further run when Tatenda Taibu completed a leg-side stumping off Ray Price at the second attempt.

Malik fell to a stunning return catch by Elton Chigumbura and Kyle Jarvis produced a similar moment of magic to end Younus’ innings at 81. Misbah-ul-Haq (29 not out) and Adnan Akmal (24no) added an unbroken 55, Chigumbura the pick of the bowlers with two for 36.

Vusi Sibanda and Chibhabha made a game start to the reply and had reached 110 for the first wicket when debutant Yasir Shah removed Sibanda for 59.

Ten more were added to the score before Taylor became Cheema’s first victim and Chibhabha fell to Malik soon after for 62. Hamilton Masakadza (21) and Tatenda Taibu (27) rebuilt busily but neither could kick on to a major score, falling to Sohail Khan and Yasir respectively.

Cheema took full advantage of the hosts’ ailing spirits by bagging the scalps of Waller, Chigumbura and Price. Hafeez removed No 10 Jarvis with four balls remaining in the match.