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KARACHI: Fatima Sanas’ all-round display powered Pakistan Women’s team to a 3-0 sweep over Zimbabwe in the T20I series at the National Bank Stadium on Friday.
Set a daunting 224, Zimbabwe’s batting lineup faltered and were bowled out for 90 in 19.1 overs.
After losing a wicket early, Opener Kelis Ndhlovu tried to put pressure back on Pakistan. However, her dismissal in the third over sparked a collapse from which the visitors never recovered.
She remained the top scorer with 32 off 13 balls, including six fours and a maximum, in an otherwise shambolic display. The slide continued until the 17th over, as the Chevrons were bundled out well short of the 100-run mark.
For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal starred with the ball, picking up three wickets.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan posted their second-highest T20I total, finishing the innings on 223-4 in 20 overs.
Openers Muneeba Ali and Ayesha Zafar laid a solid foundation for a big total with a 58-run partnership in the first six overs.
Both Muneeba and Ayesha were trapped lbw after scoring 22 and 45, respectively.
Zimbabwe briefly fought back in the ninth over with two quick wickets, but Iram Javed (29) and Saira Jabeen stitched a steady 59-run partnership to steady the innings.
The final flourish came through Fatima Sana and Saira Jabeen’s unbeaten 71-run partnership from just 22 balls, which proved to be the final nail in the coffin.
Fatima remained 62* not out from 19, striking 10 fours and two sixes. In doing so, she also became the fastest half-century in Women’s T20I cricket. Meanwhile, Saira Jabeen scored his maiden half-century, remaining unbeaten on 50 off 32 balls, including eight fours.
For Zimbabwe, Lindokuhle Mabhero scalped two wickets.
With this win, Pakistan ended a dominant home series, winning all six games — completing a 3-0 ODI series followed by a 3-0 T20I whitewash.
