Jongwe four-for hands Zimbabwe historic T20 win over Pakistan to level series 1−1
A maiden win in 16 atempts seemed unlikely when the tourists restricted the hosts to a meagre 118-9 with Kamunhukamwe (34) the only batsman to impress. But pacer Jongwe (4-18) wreaked havoc and Zimbabwe bowled out Pakistan for 99 in 19.5 overs
Zimbabwe beat Pakistan for the first time in a Twenty20 international on Friday, with fourwicket Luke Jongwe the star of a shock 19-run triumph at Harare Sports Club.
A maiden victory in 16 atempts seemed unlikely when the tourists restricted the hosts to a meagre 118-9 with Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (34) the only batsman to impress.
But right-arm medium pacer Jongwe (4-18) wreaked havoc and Zimbabwe bowled out Pakistan for 99 in 19.5 overs.
It was the lowest total defended in a T20 international in Harare and victory for Zimbabwe levelled the three-match series at 1-1 ahead of the decider at the same venue Sunday.
Pakistan arrived in Zimbabwe brimming with confidence ater completing a double in South Africa, winning a one-day international series 2-1 and a T20 series 3-1. A T20 victory at home has been a long time coming for Zimbabwe as they last succeeded five years ago, against India.
“It was big turnaround for us ater the first game,” said Brendan Taylor, the stand-in captain for rested Sean Williams, referring to the recovery from a 11-run loss in the first match two days ago.
Set a run-a-ball victory target, Pakistan lost star opener Mohammad Rizwan for only 13 and Azam (41) was the lone batsman to offer much resistance.
Jongwe captured the prized wickets of Rizwan and Azam, and those of Haris Rauf and Arshad Iqbal as the Pakistan tail collapsed.
Rizwan faced only 18 balls and hit one four before being caught by Tarisai Musakanda as Jongwe claimed his first victim.
Fellow opener Azam struck five fours and then became the fourth Pakistan batsman to fall, leaving the tourists on 78-4 ater 15.5 overs.
With wickets falling cheaply, the tourists began the final over on 99-7 and needing 20 runs to snatch a dramatic victory. But instead of a run fest, the wickets of Usman Qadir, Rauf and Iqbal fell without any addition to the scoreboard.
Earlier, opener Kamunhukamwe starred for Zimbabwe with his contribution including four fours in a 60-minute stand. His innings ended when caught by Azam off the bowling of Danish Aziz, who was making his second appearance for the tourists.
Fellow opener Taylor lasted only seven balls before being caught by Mohammad Hafeez off a Faheem Ashraf delivery for five.
Six Pakistan bowlers captured wickets with Mohammad Hasnain (2-19) and Aziz (2-29) the most successful. Ater the T20 series, Zimbabwe and Pakistan will play two Tests in Harare, beginning on April 29 and May 7.
Scoreboard Zimbabwe
T Kamunhukamwe c Azam b Aziz 34 B Taylor c Hafeez b Ashraf 5 T Marumani c Rizwan b Iqbal 13 W Madhevere b Aziz 16 R Burl c Rizwan b Qadir 3 R Chakabva lbw b Rauf 18 T Musakanda b Hasnain 13 L Jongwe c Fakhar b Hasnain 7 W Masakadza run out (Hasnain) 0 B Muzarabani not out 1
R Ngarava not out 1
Total (9 wkts, 20 overs) 118 Bowling: Mohammad Hasnain 4-0-19-2, Faheem Ashraf 2-0-10-1, Arshad Iqbal 4-0-16-1, Haris Rauf 3-0-10-1 (1w), Usman Qadir 4-0-28-1, Danish Aziz 3-0-29-2 Pakistan
Rizwan c Musakanda b Jongwe 13 Babar Azam c Madhevere b Jongwe 41 Fakhar c Musakanda b Burl 2 Hafeez c Masakadza b Burl 5 Danish Aziz run out 22 Asif Ali c (Tiripano) b Ngarava 1 Faheem c Burl b Muzarabani 2 Usman Qadir run out 0 Haris Rauf c Taylor b Jongwe 6 Mohammad Hasnain not out 0 Arshad Iqbal c Burl b Jongwe 0 Total (19.5 overs) 99
Bowling: Muzarabani 4-0-24-1 (1w), Ngarava 3-0-10-1, Jongwe 3.5-0-18-4 (2w), Madhevere 3-0-16-0 (2w), Burl 4-0-21-2 (1w), Masakadza 2-0-9-0