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Muqeem stars as Pakistan crush Zimbabwe to win T20 series

Muqeem stars as Pakistan crush Zimbabwe to win T20 series
Pakistan’s Sufiyan Muqeem celebrates a wicket during the second T20 cricket match between Zimbabwe and Pakistan at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on December 3, 2024. (AP)
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Updated 03 December 2024

Muqeem stars as Pakistan crush Zimbabwe to win T20 series

Muqeem stars as Pakistan crush Zimbabwe to win T20 series
  • The 25-year-old took five consecutive wickets for the loss of only three runs
  • Zimbabwe crumbled to 57 all out in 12.4 overs after making a promising start

BULAWAYO: Pakistan wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem starred in a series-clinching 10-wicket Twenty20 international rout of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old took five consecutive wickets for the loss of only three runs as Zimbabwe crumbled to 57 all out in 12.4 overs after making a promising start.
Pakistan then sped to 61-0 off 33 balls through Saim Ayub (36) and Omair Yousuf (22) to follow up a 57-run victory last Sunday in the first of three matches.
Victory completed a white-ball double for the tourists, who won a one-day international series 2-1 last week.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha said: “Losing the toss did not concern us because we had plans and executed them really well. The bowling of Sufiyan was outstanding.
“We have a young side full of quality players and the way they are performing is very heartening for me.”
Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza admitted his team were “all hurting and in a pretty bad place at the moment.
“My biggest concern is whether we are learning our lessons when we suffer defeats because we seem to be making the same mistakes match after match.”
Zimbabwe openers Brian Bennett (21) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (16) — the only batters to reach double figures — built a 37-run partnership in four overs.
Then, both fell within five balls, and the home team lost their 10 wickets for just 20 runs as Muqeem wreaked havoc.
Marumani was caught by Tayyab Tahir at cover point and Bennett by Irfan Khan at deep square leg at the Queens Sports Club.
All-rounder Raza, often the batting savior for Zimbabwe, made just three before his off stump was uprooted by Abbas Afridi.
Raza was among four bowlers who had no success trying to contain Ayub and Yousuf. The openers struck 10 boundaries, including a six each, between them.
A four from Ayub past backward point sealed victory.
Pakistan complete the T20 series against Zimbabwe on Thursday. They then travel to South Africa for an eight-match all-formats tour, including two Tests.


Pakistan president voices support for Indonesia after mosque blasts in Jakarta

Pakistan president voices support for Indonesia after mosque blasts in Jakarta
Updated 28 sec ago

Pakistan president voices support for Indonesia after mosque blasts in Jakarta

Pakistan president voices support for Indonesia after mosque blasts in Jakarta
  • Zardari reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to combat militancy after 55 people injured in Jakarta blasts
  • Pakistan, Indonesia cooperate on counterterrorism through joint military exercises to fight extremism

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to combat militancy in collaboration with the international community on Friday as he expressed support for Indonesian efforts against extremism after explosions in a mosque injured dozens during Friday prayers in Jakarta, his office said.

At least 55 people were hospitalized after the blasts, with Indonesian officials indicating the explosions may have been an attack after identifying a 17-year-old as a suspected perpetrator.

Videos from the scene showed police armed with assault rifles guarding the iron gates of the compound where the explosions occurred as emergency and armored vehicles lined the street.

“President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Indonesia in the fight against terrorism and extremism, noting that Pakistan has itself suffered greatly and rendered immense sacrifices in this struggle,” the President’s Secretariat said in a statement.

“The President said that Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder with Indonesia and the international community in its commitment to defeat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”

The statement added Zardari expressed “deep sorrow and concern” over the explosion, conveyed his sympathies to the Indonesian government and people and wished a swift recovery for the injured.

Pakistan and Indonesia have long cooperated on counterterrorism efforts and shared intelligence to combat extremist threats.

The two countries established a joint working group to combat militancy in 2005, following talks between former Indonesian and Pakistani Presidents Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Pervez Musharraf.

Last year, Pakistan and Indonesia participated in a week-long joint military exercise named Elang Strike-II to counter militancy.

This was the second exercise carried out by the two countries together in the counter-terrorism domain.

With input from Reuters