Sufiyan Moqim delivered a spell for the ages in the second T20I against Zimbabwe, guiding Pakistan to a commanding 10-wicket victory in Bulawayo on Tuesday. The left-arm wrist spinner not only dismantled Zimbabwe’s batting lineup but also etched his name in history with record-breaking figures of 5/3 in 2.4 overs, setting a new benchmark for Pakistan in T20I cricket.
Moqim’s stunning performance surpassed former Pakistan pacer Umar Gul’s record of 5/6, set against New Zealand in 2009, to become the best-ever bowling figures by a Pakistani bowler in T20Is. His achievement also placed him in an exclusive club of bowlers from Full Member nations who have taken a five-wicket haul while conceding fewer than five runs in the format.
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Only three bowlers had achieved this feat before Moqim: Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath (5/3 against New Zealand in 2014), Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan (5/3 against Ireland in 2017), and India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar (5/4 against Afghanistan in 2022).
Moqim’s success was built on his impeccable variations, including top spin and googlies, which left Zimbabwe’s batters clueless. He accounted for key wickets, including Ryan Burl, Clive Madande, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, and Richard Ngarava, during his short but devastating spell. His brilliance reduced Zimbabwe to their lowest-ever T20I total of 57.
After opting to bat first, Zimbabwe’s openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani gave a steady start with a 37-run stand. However, once Abbas Afridi dismissed Marumani for 16, Zimbabwe’s innings unraveled. The remaining nine wickets fell for just 20 runs as Moqim, along with support from Abrar Ahmed and Abbas Afridi, ripped through the lineup.
Pakistan’s openers Saim Ayub and Omair Yousuf wasted no time chasing down the modest target. Ayub displayed his flair with elegant strokes, while Yousuf supported with power-hitting. The duo completed the chase inside the powerplay, sealing a 10-wicket victory and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Moqim’s five-wicket haul also made him only the third Pakistani bowler to achieve this milestone in T20Is, joining the ranks of Umar Gul and Imad Wasim. His record-breaking performance solidifies his place as a rising star in Pakistan’s cricketing ranks.
Pakistan’s stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha lauded Moqim’s performance, calling it “outstanding” and expressing pride in the team’s execution. “The way Sufiyan bowled today was exceptional. It’s heartening to see youngsters stepping up and performing like this. We wanted to win the series, and this performance was exactly what we needed,” Salman said.
Also See: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe series schedule, upcoming matches, timing and venues
With the series already in their favor, Pakistan heads into the final T20I on Thursday, aiming for a clean sweep.
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