KARACHI: Half-centuries from Saira Zabeen and captain Fatima Sana and three wickets from Sadia Iqbal helped Pakistan win the third T20I against Zimbabwe by 133 runs at the National Bank Stadium on Friday.
Chasing a target of 224, the visitors were bowled out for 90 in 17.1 overs, succumbing to a whitewash as Chevrons tasted the same fate in the first two matches of the series.
Left-handed opener Kelis Nathlov was the lone star for Zimbabwe, scoring 32 off 13 balls with 6 fours and a six, and was their top scorer.
Apart from him, Adel Zimunu (18) and Mitchell Maunga (13) could put up double figures against a controlled Pakistan bowling attack led by Sadia, who took 3 wickets for just 20 runs in his three overs.
Sadia was supported by fellow spinner Nashra Sandhu, who returned economical bowling figures of 2/21 from her four overs, while Tuba Hassan, Rameen Shamim and skipper Fatima chipped in with a scalp each.
Pakistan skipper Fatima’s decision to bat first paid off as the home team scored 223/4 in their 20 overs.
The Green Shirts got their innings off to a rousing start as their new opening pair of Muneefa Ali and Ayesha Jaffer scored 58 runs in the batting powerplay.
Lindokuhle Mapero, on the first delivery of the seventh over, scored 22 runs off 17 balls with three fours, dismissing Muneeba to break the opening partnership.
Mabiro struck again in his next over, trapping Ayesha lbw, who scored 45 off 28 balls with 9 fours.
Pakistan suffered another setback to their batting journey in the next over as all-rounder Natalia Pervaiz fell victim to Zimbabwean favorite Bisa and consequently slumped to 93/3 in 10.2 overs.
Following back-to-back wickets, Eram Javed (29) paired with Saira added 49 runs for the fourth wicket to stabilize Pakistan’s innings.
Saira then teamed up with captain Fatima and the duo put on a 71-run partnership to boost Pakistan’s total at the back.
Fatima dominated a thrilling fifth wicket stand, scoring 62 off 19 balls with 10 fours and 2 sixes, followed by Saira’s 50 not out off 32 balls with 8 fours.
Mapero was the best bowler for Zimbabwe, taking 2 for 36 in his four overs, with Maunga and Bisa picking up one each.