Pakistan completed a clean slate in the three-match T20I series after crushing Zimbabwe by 133 runs in the final match at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Friday.
Half-centuries from Saira Jabeen and captain Fatima Sana, followed by Sadia Iqbal’s three wickets, propelled Pakistan to a dominant victory.
Set to chase a daunting target of 224 runs, the visitors were able to pile on 90 before being bowled out in 17.1 overs and thus succumbed to the whitewash defeat as the Chevrons suffered the same fate in the first two matches of the series.
Left-handed opener Kelis Ndhlovu fought a lonely battle for Zimbabwe with a counter-scoring stand of 32 off 13 deliveries, including six fours and a six, and remained their top scorer.
Besides her, Adel Zimunu (18) and Michelle Mavunga (13) could rack up double-digit figures against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Sadia, who scored three wickets for just 20 runs in three overs.
Sadia was supported by compatriot Nashra Sandhu, who returned economical bowling figures of 2/21 in her four overs, while Tuba Hassan, Rameen Shamim and captain Fatima chipped in with a scalp each.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana’s decision to bat first proved beneficial as the home side accumulated 22 3/4 in their 20 overs.
The Green Shirts got off to a blazing start to the innings as their new opening pair of Muneeba Ali and Ayesha Zafar produced 58 runs in the powerplay batting.
Lindokuhle Mabhero broke the opening partnership in the first delivery of the seventh over, dismissing Muneeba, who returned after scoring 22 off 17 deliveries with the help of three fours.
Mabhero struck again in his next over, trapping Ayesha lbw, who made a quickfire 45 off just 28 deliveries, mixed with nine fours.
Pakistan then suffered another setback in their batting expedition in the next match as all-rounder Natalia Pervaiz fell victim to her Zimbabwean counterpart Beloved Biza and consequently slipped to 93/3 in 10.2 overs.
After the consecutive wickets, Iram Javed (29) joined Saira in the middle, and the duo steadied Pakistan’s innings by putting on 49 runs for the fourth wicket before the former fell victim to Michelle Mavunga in the 17th over.
Saira then joined forces with captain Fatima, and the duo bolstered Pakistan’s tally at the back end with a blazing 71-run partnership.
Fatima, who dominated the sensational fifth-wicket stand, top-scored for Pakistan with a superb 62 from just 19 deliveries, studded with 10 fours and two sixes, closely followed by Saira, who made 50 not out from 32 balls with the help of eight fours.
Mabhero was Zimbabwe’s standout player, taking two wickets for 36 runs in four overs, while Mavunga and Biza could claim one each.
