Blistering Eyman Fatima helps Pakistan seal Zimbabwe T20 series

Staff Report

KARACHI: A sparkling unbeaten innings from Eyman Fatima guided Pakistan to a dominant 67-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second T20 International at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday night, helping the hosts clinch the three-match series with one game remaining. After being put into bat, Pakistan recovered from an uncertain start to post an imposing 170-4, thanks largely to Eyman’s blistering 79 not out off only 43 balls. Pakistan’s top order struggled to gain momentum early on as Gull Feroza departed for nine and Ayesha Zafar was run out for four, leaving the hosts at 35-2 in the seventh over. Veteran batter Muneeba Ali attempted to steady the innings with a composed 36 off 33 deliveries, striking four boundaries before becoming the fourth wicket to fall in the 14th over. By then, however, Eyman had begun to take control. The right-hander unleashed a series of crisp strokes all around the ground, punishing Zimbabwe’s bowlers with 10 fours and four sixes in an innings played at a strike rate of over 183. She found solid support from Natalia Pervaiz, who remained unbeaten on 24 off 19 balls, as the pair added an unbroken 78-run partnership for the fifth wicket to lift Pakistan to a commanding total.

For Zimbabwe, Michelle Mavunga, Precious Marange and Lindokuhle Mabhero picked up a wicket each but struggled to stem the flow of runs in the closing overs. Zimbabwe’s chase never truly gathered momentum as Pakistan’s bowlers struck regularly. Captain Fatima Sana removed Beloved Biza early before Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu tightened Pakistan’s grip with disciplined spells. Nashra claimed two wickets, while Tuba Hassan, Ayesha and Natalia chipped in with one each as Zimbabwe slumped to 61-7. Skipper Nomvelo Sibanda top-scored with an unbeaten 18, while Kudzai Chigora struck 14 not out late in the innings, but Zimbabwe could only reach 103-8 from their 20 overs. The convincing result gave Pakistan an unassailable 2-0 lead ahead of the final T20I at the same venue.

Brief scores:

2nd WT20I – Pakistan women beat Zimbabwe women by 67 runs at National Bank Stadium, Karachi

Pakistan 170-4, 20 overs (Eyman Fatima 79 not out; Muneeba Ali 36, Natalia Parvaiz 24 not out; Lindokuhle Mabhero 1-20) VS Zimbabwe 103-8, 20 overs (Nomvelo Sibanda 18 not out, Kudzai Chigora 14 not out; Nashra Sundhu 2-18)

Player of the match – Eyman Fatima (Pakistan women).