Pakistan needed less than 10 overs to beat a hapless Zimbabwe in the third ODI in Bulawayo.
Having chosen to bat first, Zimbabwe found themselves 29-4 within 10 overs, a position from which they did not recover as wickets continued to tumble.
The only Zimbabweans to break into double figures were Chamu Chibhabha (16), Hamilton Masakadza (10) and his brother Wellington Masakadza (10 not out) as Zimbabwe were bundled out for 67 in 25.1 overs.
Faheem Ashraf ruled the day, however, taking 5-22 in 8.1 overs to collect the Man of the Match award, while Junaid Khan proved unplayable in taking 2-7 (econ 1.40).
For a brief moment Zimbabwe’s hopes were lifted when Imam-ul-Haq was caught behind first ball for a duck, but that was the last smile of the day for Zimbabwe, as Fakhar Zaman (43 not out off 24 balls, eight fours) and Babar Azam (19 not out off 34 balls, three fours) raced home in 9.5 overs.
Zaman ended the match in emphatic style with three consecutive fours.
With two more matches to come and the series already lost 3-0 by massive margins, Zimbabwe will be willing themselves towards 23 July when they can wake up with the series nightmare behind them.
Mind you, with the pressure off them now, the next two matches could provide them with just the right opportunity they need to rebuild their confidence and work on their technique and tactics in match situations.
Photo: Jekesai Njikizana/AFP/Getty Images
