Bhatti heroics with the bat give Pakistan 2nd win over Zimbabwe

LAHORE: Brilliant hitting in the last over by fast bowler Bilawal Bhatti handed Pakistan a close 2-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the second Twenty20 and 2-0 series victory here at the Gaddafi Stadium Sunday.

Bhatti hit a sixer on the first ball of the last over and a boundary on fourth in a nail-biting finish to the match. He was given a special "most colourful innings of the match" award.

Mukhtar Ahmed, who scored a fiery innings of 62 runs, grabbed his second "man of the match" award in as many matches.

Mukhtar, dropped on 15 and 55, holed out at mid-on before Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi – who both made seven each – and Umar Akmal (30) fell to leave Pakistan needing 24 in the last 4.1 overs.

Anwar Ali (2) and Mohammad Rizwan (6) fell in the space of five balls before Bhatti´s heroics sealed the win for Pakistan.

The 2-0 win keeps Pakistan’s fifth place in the Twenty20 rankings intact while Zimbabwe remained as low as 12th.

Speaking at the Awards ceremony, Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi lauded youngsters' performance including Mukhtar and Bilawal Bhatti in winning the first T20 series on home soil in six years.

He also thanked the fans for turning out in large numbers at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.

Chasing down 176 runs target set by the Zimbabwe, Pakistan were on-track to achieve a comfortable victory at one point with 95/2. However, signature middle-order collapse turned the match into a real close contest with Pakistan getting home with only 2 balls to spare and same number of wickets in hand.

Earlier, Sean Williams hit a rapid 32-ball 58 not out with seven boundaries and a six and opener Vusi Sibanda 46-ball 49 to help Zimbabwe to a solid 175-3 after winning the toss.

Sami, Afridi and Malik took a wicket apiece.

Despite scorching temperatures of 42 degrees Celsius, a capacity crowd was witnessed today like on Friday for the first match of the two-match series.

"We are very excited. I am here to support Pakistan as well as the Zimbabwe team," said one Pakistani fan, who was waiting in line to enter the stadium.

A heavy contingent of police personnel was deployed at the stadium to thwart any untoward incident.

Pakistan had not hosted any international cricket since terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009.

The two teams will now play three one-day internationals on May 26, 29 and 31 at the same venue.

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Pakistan home with Bhatti heroics

Brilliant hitting in the last over by fast bowler Bilawal Bhatti handed Pakistan a close win over Zimbabwe. Bhatti hit a sixer on the first ball of the last over and a boundary on fourth in nail-biting finish to the match. What a match. Pakistan win series 2-0.

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Pakistan need 12 runs in last over

Pakistan require another 12 runs with 2 wickets and 6 balls remaining with Bilawal Bhatti and Imad Wasim at the crease. And it's a six by Bhatti. Now 6 more required! Wow

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Rizwan out as last two wickets remain

Mohammad Rizwan has given away his wicket as well c Sikandar Raza b Mpofu for 6 (7). Pakistan require another 15 runs with 2 wickets and 10 balls remaining.

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Anwar Ali goes for 2

Anwar Ali is bowled on the bowling of Sean Williams for 2. Pakistan require another 19 runs with 3 wickets and 13 balls remaining.

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Akmal out after scoring quick 30

Umar Akmal lbw b Mpofu for 30 (21) with one four and two sixes. Pakistan require another 23 runs with 4 wickets and 18 balls remaining.

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Afridi out at mid on in signature style

Afridi out caught Sikandar Raza at mid on in his signature style bowled Williams for 7 (3). Pakistan require another 46 runs with 5 wickets and 34 balls remaining.

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Mukhtar goes after scoring brilliant 62

Mukhtar Ahmed is caught at long off after scoring a brilliant 62 in just 40 balls with 6 fours and a six. Pakistan 117/4 after 13.3 overs.

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Malik runs himself out

Shoaib Malik is run out after scoring a run-a-ball 7. Pakistan 95/3 after 10.4 overs.

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Nauman goes after a cameo

Nauman Anwar goes after scoring a breezy 18(10) with 2 fours and a six. Pakistan 81/1 after 8.4 overs.

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50 up for Pakistan

Pakistan reach 50-run mark after 6.1 overs. Mukhtar 27(17) is joined by Nauman Anwar.

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Shehzad out after sluggish 18

Ahmed Shehzad scooped up a delivery from Vitori caught by Sibanda at mid-off for 18 (17). Pakistan 44/1 after 5 overs.

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Imran, Reham arrive at Gaddafi Stadium

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Mukhtar brings Friday's form into action

Mukhtar Ahmed is again displaying his talent with the bat in the shortest format of the game hitting four boundaries already. Pakistan 32/0 after 3 overs.

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Mukhtar, Shehzad take guard in Pakistan's reply

Stars of the 1st T20, openers Mukhtar Ahmed and Ahmed Shehzad have started Pakistan's response to Zimbabwe's target of 176 runs.

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Zimbabwe score 175/3 in full 20 overs

Improving their Friday's score by just 3 runs, Zimbabwe set a 176-run target for Pakistan in the second T20. Sean William remains top scorer with 58 in just 32 balls with 7 fours and a six.

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More clicks from Gaddafi Stadium

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Chigumbura falls in last over

Dangerous Chigumbura caught Ahmed Shehzad bowled Mohammad Sami for 21 off just 9 balls on first delivery of the last over by Sami.

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Chigumbura hits 3 sixes on as many balls

Skipper Elton Chigumbura has announced his arrival at the crease with three massive sixes on three consecutive deliveries by Mohammad Sami. Zimbabwe are now 164/2 after 18 overs.

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Sibanda goes 1 short of half-century

Vusi Sibanda has given away his wicket on 49 (46). He was caught by Anwar Ali at deep midwicket off the bowling of Shahid Afridi. He hit 2 fours and a six in his innings.

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Pakistan, Zimbabwe players in action

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Sean Williams takes up the attack

Left-hand batsman Sean Williams has taken up the attack on Pakistan where Masakadza had left. He is 37 on just 19 balls with 6 fours. Zimbabwe are 122/1 after 14.3 overs.

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100 up for Zimbabwe after 12 overs

Zimbabwe have just crossed 100 runs milestone at the loss of just 1 wicket at the end of 12 overs.

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Malik, Sami collide in saving a boundary

Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Sami collided with each other while trying to save a boundary. Both are fortunately escaped the collision unhurt.

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Malik gets first breakthrough for Pakistan

Shoaib Malik in his very first has taken the important wicket of Hamilton Masakadza, who was looking dangerous for Pakistan. Anwar Ali took the catch at long-on. Maskadza made 39 off 32 deliveries with 4 fours and a six. Zimbabwe are 70/1 after 9 overs.

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50 up for Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe openers have managed to build 50 runs partnership at the end of six overs of fielding restriction. They indeed have provided a solid platform for setting a massive target for Pakistan.

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Some clicks from Gaddafi Stadium

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Pakistan introduce spin to stop flow of runs

Off-spinner Imad Wasim has been brought in by skipper Afridi to stop this onslaught by Hamilton Masakadza, who hit him for one four as well. But overall a good first over by Imad, he gave just 6 runs. Zimbabwe are 39/0 after 5.

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Masakadza on-song again

Hamilton Maskadza is in the form of his life as hit three fours on three consecutive deliveries from Bilawal Bhatti. Beautiful footwork and timing by him in all three shots. Zimbabwe are 26/0 after 3 overs.

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Anwar Ali starts the proceedings

Pakistan's pacer Anwar Ali is bowling the first over like the previous match. Vusi Sibanda and danger man Hamilton Masakadza are opening for Zimbabwe. They are 8 without loss after the first over.

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Pakistan drop Sarfraz, Wahab, Hafeez

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi at the toss told commentator and former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja that three senior players have been rested for today’s encounter.

Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Hafeez and Sarfraz Ahmed are replaced with Imad Wasim, Noman Anwar and Mohammad Rizwan, he said.

Afridi, on the occasion, lauded fans in Lahore for their love of cricket. He said his team would try to restrict the visitors to 150 to 155 runs.

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Zimbabwe win toss, chose to bat first

Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura has won the toss and decided to bat first against the hosts sticking to their strategy of the first match, which they lost by 5 wickets.

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Players arrive for practice session

Huge roars for both sets of players as they take the field #CricketComesHome #PakvsZim #cricketthewinner pic.twitter.com/G9ybRNHsTe

— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) May 24, 2015

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Huge roars for both sets of players as they take the field #CricketComesHome #PakvsZim #cricketthewinner https://t.co/AQbLk8Zg7o

— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) May 24, 2015

Fans excited as Cricket comes home

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Team Lineup

Team Zimbabwe: Hamilton Masakadza, Vusi Sibanda, Charles Coventry (wicketkeeper), Elton Chigumbura (captain), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Graeme Cremer, Chamu Chibhabha, Chris Mpofu, Brian Vitori, Prosper Utseya.

Team Pakistan: Mukhtar Ahmed, Ahmed Shehzad, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi (captain), Anwar Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Bilawal Bhatti, Nauman Anwar, Mohammad Sami, Imad Wasim.