Sufiyan Muqeem in motion for Pakistan towards Zimbabwe© X (Twitter)
Bulawayo :
Pakistan spinner Sufiyan Muqeem joined an unique membership with a magical match-winning spell within the second T20I towards Zimbabwe on Tuesday in Bulawayo. Muqeem’s success was attributed to his distinctive tempo variation, alongside together with his efficient use of prime spin and googly, which dismantled Zimbabwe’s batting line-up. In a outstanding 2.4-over spell, he claimed 5 wickets for simply three runs. Along with his gorgeous figures of 5/3, Muqeem etched his identify in historical past, recording the all-time bowling figures for Pakistan in T20I cricket. The left-arm spinner surpassed former pacer Umar Gul’s document of 5/6 towards New Zealand in 2009.
Muqeem grew to become a part of an elite group of bowlers from Full Member nations who’ve taken a five-wicket haul in T20Is whereas conceding fewer than 5 runs. Earlier than him, solely three bowlers–Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath, Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, and India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar–achieved this uncommon feat.
Herath achieved the milestone in 2014 with figures of 5/3 towards New Zealand. Rashid adopted together with his spell of 5/3 towards Eire in 2017, and Bhuvneshwar joined the group in 2022 with figures of 5/4 towards Afghanistan.
Muqeem’s heroics ensured Zimbabwe’s lowest whole in T20I history–a mere 57 runs. After profitable the toss and opting to bat, Zimbabwe regretted their determination as Muqeem dominated in his transient spell.
Though Zimbabwe’s openers managed a good begin, Abbas Afridi drew first blood by dismissing Tadiwanashe Marumani. At 37/1, Zimbabwe collapsed dramatically, dropping their remaining 9 wickets for simply 20 runs.
In response, Saim Ayub and Omair Yousuf made fast work of the goal, wrapping up the sport contained in the powerplay and securing a 10-wicket victory for Pakistan, together with an unassailable 2-0 sequence lead.
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