Pakistan seal deal in Zim

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed hailed “a great performance” after his team sealed a series win by strolling to a nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the third one-day international on Wednesday.

Seamer Faheem Ashraf was the pick of a bristling Pakistani attack, taking a career-best five for 22 as the hosts were skittled for just 67 in Bulawayo.

Opener Fakhar Zaman then continued his good run of form to see Pakistan home in the 10th over with an unbeaten 43.

“First of all, a great performance,” Ahmed said.

“Ashraf is getting better day by day. He’s an allrounder, and we need him.”

Zimbabwe’s 67 was their lowest-ever total against Pakistan, and the lowest score ever recorded in 78 ODIs at Queens Sports Club.

“I try to bowl in good areas and a stump to stump line,” Ashraf said.

“Our bowling coach [Azhar Mahmood] has really helped us get better, and a lot of credit for my first five-for in international cricket goes to him.”

Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza said: “A bit of a disaster really.

“Today we’ve gone a long way backwards, but these things happen. As a batting group, we have a lot of hard questions to ask ourselves.

“The main thing is to stay positive, because once you go in that direction and get down on yourself it’s very hard to come back.”

The teams will play on Friday and Sunday at the same ground.