Pakistan vs Zimbabwe 2nd T20I: Babar Azam, Haider Ali lead side to 8-wicket win

Pakistan went on to win the second T20I against a sloppy Zimbabwe by eight wickets in Rawalpindi on Sunday. They have now taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Riding on half-centuries from skipper Babar Azam (51) and 20-year-old Haider Ali (66 not out), Pakistan chased the modest 135-run target, achieving victory with 29 balls to spare.

Zimbabwe, who were sent in to bat, lost early wicket due to early strikes by paceman Haris Rauf (3-31) and spinner Usman Qadir (3-23) as they were restricted the visitors to 134-7 in 20 overs.

Haider - playing only his third international match - cracked three sixes and six boundaries in a 43-ball knock and was declared Man of the Match.

Azam too helped smash eight fours and a six off just 28 balls, the fastest of his 16 T20 international fifties.

Haider and Azam added 100 for the second wicket, taking the game away from Zimbabwe despite losing opener Fakhar Zaman for just five.

Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani took two wickets for 33 runs, including Azam. Khushdil Shah cracked the winning boundary in his 11 not out.

Pakistan win to take an unassailable lead of 2-0!

Scorecard: https://t.co/nEUbq0Gjsk
Highlights: https://t.co/nBTKov3ZRi#HarHaalMainCricket | #PAKvZIM pic.twitter.com/PQggl8kmKw

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 8, 2020

As for the first innings, Zimbabwe's Ryan Burl (32 not out) and Wesley Madhevere (24) were the main scorers, with Burl smashing the last ball of the innings for a big six.

Pakistan's Rauf removed Brendan Taylor (three) and skipper Chamu Chibhabha (15) in successive overs. Donald Tiripano (15) added 30 for the seventh wicket with Burl before falling to Rauf in the 19th over.

Usman chipped in with the wickets of Madhevere, Sikandar Raza (seven) and Elton Chigumbura (18) to derail Zimbabwe's innings.

Pakistan's Ahsan Raza became the first umpire to officiate in 50 T20 internationals.